Cremaster Fanatic Gilad sent us photos of himself dressed as Barney's "Entered Apprentice" character from Cremaster 3 for this year's Purim celebration in Israel. For those unfamiliar with Purim, it is "a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman's plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews." (quoted from Wikipedia) It is a festive celebration which generally includes masquerade.
You can see more photos of Gilad's costume at http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Purim%20Barney&w=all and pictures of other Matthew Barney-themed costumes (including Gilad's 2006 Purim costume) on the CremasterFanatic.com Fan Costume Page
We hear rumors that Matthew Barney is currently in New York City. If any of Cremaster Fanatics out there get pictures of him at the various Armory Show events this weekend, please email them to us.
1 comment:
There's a lot more mystical significances to Purim that Wiki doesn't mention.
It is exactly 6 months (farthest apart) from the other holiest date for Jews, Atonement day.
It is said that after the Messiah comes, people would need just these two essential holidays- atonement and purim.
In Hebrew, they are complete opposites yet their names stem from the same root (p.u.r - kipur for atonement and purim for purim) and have many double meanings. Atonement is marked by complete withdrawal, quietness, fasting and meditative inward nature.
However, it is a religious directive, in Purim, to get drunk- blend opposites- misbehave and perform usually blasphemous acts- on Purim, and it has been so for centuries. Dressing up (costumes) is a Jewish-European tradition, but remains close to the directive of "not knowing right from wrong" (male from female, etc.)
Hence, it is a day dedicated to the "mad fool" which appears in many religions but usually suppressed by their establishments; not so in the mystical interpretation to Judaism.
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