The Last Supper - S&M Version

Ever imagined the S&M version of da Vinci's "Last Supper"? No, don't worry, it's not another Dan Brown novel. Not that I know of, anyway. No, this is an ad campaign to promote something called "The Folsome Street Fair" that takes place in San Francisco over the weekend. And apparently, it has caused quite a stir - and it's quite obvious why good Christians all over the Universe are clamoring to have the ad withdrawn and see some official excuses for the blasphemy. But hey, it's just an ad campaign - it's art. There's no use getting too freaked out over it.

It's interesting to see that the places of the apostles featured in da Vinci's famous but very controversial painting have been taken by both men and women sporting heavy duty S&M gear and an assortment of sex toys. Plus, the guy who stands in the center where Jesus is featured in the original painting is black - which to me sends out a message that's more about expressing one's deep dark fantasies and more about tolerance and acceptance.

But the reason this ad - and the outrage it caused among the local Christian community who insisted it was taken off - caught my attention (in addition to appreciating the creative concept) was that I find it amusing and sad at the same time that people can take their time and get all worked up over a picture and they let more serious and worrying things slip by. I admit it's not a very wise thing, making raunchy allusions to things that touch on religious beliefs - but this festival does not encourage violence or racial intolerance, on the contrary.

However, every day we get to witness the self-abusive and self-destructive behavior of celebrities left, right and center, who may not be as flamboyant about it but nevertheless...they are still doing drugs, neglecting their kids and putting on a show that's sometimes pathetic, sometimes amusing and sometimes plain idiotic. But since they're called Britney, Lindsay, Paris and all the rest, they seem to have an easier time with it, and people everywhere are inclined to cut them lots of slack. So what if she's doing drugs near her kids, smoking in their faces all day long and driving with them on her lap rather than in their car seats?

I think you see where this is going by now. Don't get me wrong - I love celebrities and their lifestyle, but at the end of the day I always hope to see some good come out of their fame and fortune. Fame for fame's sake - just think Paris Hilton and you'll get my point - is not what this ad is about. What do you think?