Torture in la-la land
Alas, the silly torture tactics of the Spanish Inquisition, with their soft cushions and comfy chair, have prompted me to contemplate the very real torture perpetrated by my government and now shamefully condoned by Congress. Makes me wonder how Monty Python would’ve handled the “war on terror.” (Um, maybe like so!)
Along with her Thanksgiving wishes, my aunt sent me to this impressive coalition of religious groups protesting this madness. I’m gradually reading through their resources.
Which isn’t at all easy. Escapism comes more naturally; I’m more likely to run off with the Flying Circus than confront the problem directly or seriously. Rather than study it deeply, I’m inclined to feel it with my gut. And my gut tends to get excited about brilliantly subversive works of street art, like those iPod torture posters or Banksy’s recent Disneyland coup. Ah, the comfort of satire and secondary sources.
Check out Banksy’s video of the installation and marvel at how he penetrates a space infused, for me, with fond childhood memories - the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - and plants such a dissonant token there. Brilliant.