"French authorities have approved a proposal to revamp the interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral despite opposition from 100 cultural figures and criticisms saying the changes would 'Disneyify' the historic landmark." Source: Art Net News.
"The French National Heritage and Architecture Commission offered a favorable opinion to the proposal following a meeting on Thursday, December 9, giving the plan a green light to proceed.
"The proposals submitted by the diocese of Paris, which is responsible for the cathedral, would install contemporary artworks and mood lighting to give the 850-year-old gothic structure a new look when it is scheduled to reopen in 2024, just in time for the Paris Olympics."
Comment: This isn't just an abomination; it makes no sense. For instance, why does a Gothic cathedral with its fantastic open spaces, stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings need "mood lighting?" Weren't these buildings designed to use natural light? And if the morons behind this renovation are determined to put up new pieces of art, wouldn't it be more appropriate to select, I don't know, something traditional with religious themes instead of "modern art" atrocities by painters like Anselm Kiefer and Louise Bourgeois, two of the "artists" being considered? Keifer produces dark, ugly Pollock-style paint splatters and sculptures that look like carbonized pieces of junk, and Bourgeois made giant spider sculptures and a lot of weird, sadomasochistic stuff that can only be described as psychotic.
The trendy, pretentious jackasses in the diocese of Paris apparently think that they need to include modern artists in order to make the cathedral "more accessible to contemporary audiences." They want to "appear modern" and so on, but they're basically turning Notre Dame into a kind of theme park which "completely distorts the decor and the liturgical space" of this beautiful old cathedral, according to critics. And why does the cathedral need a "new look" at all? What was wrong with the old look? Wasn't that it's main attraction in this first place? And what kind of religion has to update its message and image in order to appeal to the masses and keep up with the changing trends of the secular world? This is, after all, a church, right? Or is it? If the cathedral is primarily a tourist attraction these days, maybe they could install a McDonald's in the main sanctuary. That would make it "more accessible to modern audiences."