Attack of the 50 Foot Jesus

It’s Tuesday, and I’m going to do something that I haven’t done in quite a while – post an image for self-portrait Tuesday. Here it goes.



This was taken a couple of days ago in the afternoon while the sun was warm and lazy in the afternoon sky and I was drifting in and out of a nap. Ahhh siesta. It's a lovely Spring Tuesday morning here in Collingswood. My friend Sharon, who was in the area for a bead show, visited for a couple of days over the weekend which I enjoyed very much, especially since the weather was so hit and miss. She and I dined in one of my favorite restaurants, the Tortilla Press. I had really talked up the place to Sharon and I am pleased to say that our dining experience more than lived up to my praise.

Now, thanks to my brother David for emailing me the following fantastic image..



Now, here is the story about his image, at least, as far as my involvement into it. A couple of weeks ago while I was in Nashville for my exhibit, I had dinner one evening with my brother and his family. We ate at a hip place called the “Family Wash” in east Nashville. While there, I had occasion to visit the washroom of the establishment. Hanging directly over the sink in the bathroom was the little gem from above. It appeared to be from the 60’s and was printed on heavy cardboard. It had been texturized to some degree to resemble brush strokes. I remember as a child there being a bucolic print of a gristmill hanging in our house printed in the same fashion as the U.N. Jesus. It must have been a popular process in the early 60’s. Come to think of it, it also hung in the bathroom.

Isn’t it deliciously crazy? It’s a painting of a giant Jesus knocking on the window of one of the office buildings of the United Nations building (click here for a larger version). Look how casually the people of the street go about their daily routine. While it is true that they may be unflappable New Yorkers, they act as if giant Jesus has no more rarity than a hot dog vendor. I can imagine them saying if asked about him, “Oh yeah, that guy, whatevvah.” and then with a quick turn of the head in G.J.’s direction, “Hey big guy, don’t forget about my lottery tickets!”

I also wonder whose office GJ is knocking on. Wouldn’t it be easier to simply go back to his normal man size and take the elevator? Imagine being in that office! I can only imagine that most people would scream and run like a little girl when visited by a giant anything at their office window 70 stories up. Of course, on the other hand, GJ has somewhat of an awkward look on his face, as if he has been lost in the city for a while and finally got up the nerve to ask directions. In that case, it would be much easier to knock on the window of the nearest skyscraper. “Excuse me good fellow. Could you please advise me as to how to locate Times Square? I’m running late for my New Yorker interview. By the way, for the glory of your immortal soul, put the pen back where you found it immediately.”

Now, in case you have ever wondered why this



goes snap, crackle, pop, click here for your answer... I also couldn't help but notice that the box above offers a free "snap, crackle, pop" computer microphone by mail. Frankly, I have had too many computer microphones that have made exactly that sound to want to mail in box tops for another.