She discusses past criticisms from the Catholic Church and shares her thoughts on religion today.

Madonna once more taps into religious iconography for her latest photoshoot in Europe for Vanity Fair's European covers. She also opens up about her feelings about religion.

Luigi & Iango photographed the Queen of Pop for the Icons Issue. The publication said the shoot showed the Queen of Pop "expressing the values she has defended through her artistic path, iconography, and where defense of diversity lies at the core."

Although she appears on the cover as Virgin Mary, images from the inside show Madonna as Frida Kahlo, an all-female version, and another as The Last Supper.

Madonna claimed that the Last Supper photo ( over) was the work of all the photographers, but that she thought it was an interesting idea.

"As you can see in the Last Supper, Jesus is a man. He's surrounded with male disciples. She explained that she thought it was interesting that we would turn the tables (so to say) and Jesus would be feminine energy, and I would surround myself with female disciples. "I liked the idea that we were playing with this contradiction, which isn’t actually a contradiction."

She also addressed her complicated relationship with the Catholic Church, which has often called her blasphemous for using religion imagery in her work.

Let's begin with the photos. I felt attacked just for wearing a crown on top of my head, all the robes on my head, and standing on the platform, holding all the robes. She said that the photo was a metaphor for the question she is asking. It's hard to wear a crown on your head.

"So, how did it feel?" "The first time I felt truly attacked was when I held the press conference in Rome during filming 'Truth or Dare. "I was raised Catholic, and at the end it all came down to this: If the Catholic Church didn't see my art as good, it was their problem. It was an extension of their narrow-mindedness and inability of seeing that anything that brings people closer, that promotes freedom of expression, and unity, is a good thing. It reflects the core teachings of Jesus Christ and Christianity, so it felt hypocritical for them to attack my work.

She was asked about her relationship to religion and she stated that spirituality is important. However, she also spoke out against exclusionary belief systems.

"Religion without understanding and knowledge, curiosity, inclusion, and inclusion - That's not religion to me." She said that she does not subscribe to any religious group that is exclusive or extremist in any way. "I do respect all religions, and I encourage people to investigate any religious belief system. To study and understand their sacred books and their ritualistic systems. Otherwise, it's only dogma and rules and an empty exercise.

She continued, "My relationship to religion is that I remain very engaged in my spiritual practice. I believe it's imperative that everyone has a spiritual practice. But I am not defining that practice for others."

She said it was vital to pray and believe in "a higher power or energy force", and that "there is a metaphysical and mystical world that all of us are a part and need to keep connected to."

The issue following Madonna's announcement of The Celebration Tour, which will mark "her four decades" of mega hits -- was published Tuesday. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 5th.

Jennifer Lopez confirms that she was originally part of Madonna's 2003 VMA Performance

-----------------------------------

Title: Madonna Appears as Virgin Mary, Recreates Last Supper for Vanity Fair Icons Issue
Sourced From: toofab.com/2023/01/18/madonna-vanity-fair-icons/
Published Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2023 17:04:34 +0000

Read More