Jesus Santa 9/11 art print for sale

A Tea Party fantasy for only $50, framed.

Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of Boing Boing and the editor-in-chief of MAKE and Cool Tools. Twitter: @frauenfelder. Come and hear Mark speak at the ALA conference in Chicago on July 1.

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gwailo_joe

This makes no sense. Everyone knows they are bitter foes…

How unrealistic.
- zombiebob
  
  Well, tragedies bring people and deities together. And given the size distance and power differential ( Reindeer-charming and chimney teleportation vs Raising the dead and direct line to THE Father and supernatural celibacy), perhaps Santa wised up.
Frank Diekman

And ah’m proud ta be an UH-MER-I-KUN! Where at least ah know ah’m FUH-REE!
Teller

Missing Chewbacca.
Lord_Haw_Haw

Where’s St. Giuliani?
Alan Olsen

Why is Jesus a humpback?
- http://twitter.com/blindeschildpad Blinde Schildpad
  
  Well, apart from being a human/deity hybrid, he is apparently his own father. That’s bound to mess up your genome waaaay beyond Congenital Resurrection Syndrome.
  - Antinous / Moderator
    
    Well, apart from being a human/deity hybrid, he is apparently his own father.
    
    Jesus was a Habsburg?
    - http://www.tumbleweed.net/ tyger11
      
      Hah, he was from Kentucky!
- Cowicide
  
  Why is Jesus a humpback?
  
  That’s no hump, it’s a disapproving growth on Jesus’ shoulder.
  
  http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6143263844_190d12e0af.jpg
xunker

Awesome proportions. Look at the size of Jesus’ head and then his hand. Also check the length of Santa’s legs vs. his body. And then marvel at the sheer size difference of Jesus and Santa.

Where’s Jesus’s other hand, anyway?
- Miranda Connor
  
  You dummy. Don’t you know that Jesus has a bad back from all them days on the cross? I bet you’d be all bent out of shape if you spent three days nailed to a strip of timber! And did Mommy and Daddy never tell you that Santa is a dwarf who likes his tummy rubbed?
_Username

Looks like Jebus is going for a reach around…maybe the seven dwarfs in a large circle jerk would complete this for me
Ross Anderson

Tea party would kill off Santa. Free presents? That’s socialism!
- http://www.tumbleweed.net/ tyger11
  
  Are you kidding? The Tea Party would kill of Jesus first. At least Santa inspires lots of consumerism every year. Jesus likes the poor and encourages you to give away all your wealth. The GOP is Christian in name only. It’s a branding effort more than anything else. It’s impossible to sell “tax the middle class to give to the poor”, but if you praise Jesus and America every other sentence, your real agenda flies under the radar much easier.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samuel-Thompson/1616498638 Samuel Thompson

Jesus Christ and his only begotten son Santa Claus.
Frank Diekman

I think it’s sacreligious to depict a Christian symbol like Santa Claus along with fictional character like Jesus.
Rebecca DeLaTorre

This image is clearly photoshopped. Jesus’ hand is missing and the pixels are fuzzy. Obviously someone is trying to besmirch Santa by intimating a homoerotic relationship with Jesus. Offensive!
zebbart

This is the ultimate example of smug hipster douchebaggery. It’s a parody of a parody (of a parody?). Piss Christ minus the artistry.
- PhosPhorious
  
  Is this right? Is this a parody and not intended unironically?
  
  I’ve got a bad case of Poe’s law here. . . .
  - zebbart
    
    Either way – that’s why I put the question mark. MF/the website he’s linking are parodying the picture, but this very post/the website linked serve as a self parody of smug hipster elitism. If I wanted to create a fictional over the top version of how bad hipsters can be, I’d try to come up with something like this post. And if the original image was itself a parody, then this whole thing is a parody (unintentional self parody) of a parody (the intentional parody of reframing the image) of a parody (the image itself).
    - Mark_Frauenfelder
      
      I +1′d your comment because I understand it even less than the art print itself.
      - zebbart
        
        Ironic upvote in response to accusation of ironic extremism. What’s the eye-roll emoticon?
  - bob d
    
    It was indeed intended to be completely without irony. The artist’s website:
    http://www.theweepingsanta.com/about.php
nosehat

This would be great hanging on the wall of a family living room or dining room in a film, where you needed to establish that the family in question were unthinking, suburban and/or trailer park, christian amuricans.

If I were a film studio property master, I’d snatch this up right away!
- zebbart
  
  Unfortunately it would only establish that you are a classist idiot who knows no meaning of “on the nose” or “over the top.”
  - nosehat
    
    “Over the top” works really well in movie comedies. In fact, “over the top” is one of the main ways to generate comedy in the first place.
    
    Have you seen any comedy movies?
    - zebbart
      
      It’s a matter of taste, but I think the kind comedies you’re talking about are idiotic. But yes, I know this type of bullshit is a commonly used device. By idiots.
      
      Heck, even using this in a movie trying to establish an artist as a naive immature elitist brat would be too on the nose.
      - nosehat
        
        It’s a matter of taste, but I think the kind comedies you’re talking
        about are idiotic. But yes, I know this type of bullshit is a commonly
        used device. By idiots.
        
        Ah, so you do understand how to deploy “over the top” for the sake of humor! ;)
      - zebbart
        
        Touche
- andyhavens
  
  Suburban? That’s a bit broad…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613533606 Kelly Powers

It’s only $50! Sweet!
angusm

Needs some firefighters, steely-jawed cops, a few American flags and a bald eagle. This is obviously a cheap foreign-made knock-off, created by someone who doesn’t understand the essential elements of 9/11 symbolism.

Come to that, why Santa Claus? Is Santa weeping at the thought of all the presents he won’t get to deliver? Or is it the thought of trying to come up with all the coal he’ll need to put in bin Laden’s stocking?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1519542184 Kelly Scannell Talbott

Why is there a Pez dispenser with disembodied hand holding it in the background?
David Neil

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=521240745 Ryan Griffin

Krampen Claus would take Jesus down like *that*
Smash Martian

I think this is being misinterpreted. After a quick search, I’ve come to the conclusion that the the date format is European and this is clearly a tribute drawn for the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The “Santa” is in fact St. John the Dwarf, whose feast day is the 9th of November. This explains the height difference and the “Tree of Obedience” in the background.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/John_the_Dwarf
- zebbart
  
  Excellent! That makes him my patron birthday saint! It’s a lot more fun to think of this as a misinterpreted icon.
M Alovert

WHAT. THE. MOTHAFUCK.
mr_frakypants

So, I’ll go down the street from where I work, take a picture of the “provincial” art someone has painted on the wall in which the proportions are all off, and the subjects are all basically dead rappers. We’ll post it on Stormfront’s forums and let them have a similar go.

From my perspective as someone who grew up knowing lots of poor whites and poor blacks, I’ll bet I wouldn’t be able to see a material difference between that comment thread and this one. Guess what? Provincial people are provincial. This is news? It’s fun to look down on them!
- zebbart
  
  Right on right on.
http://www.facebook.com/DamianDayton Damian Dayton

There is actually a whole series of these called “the Weeping Santa”, I first saw them on display during Christmas at a restaurant in Buffalo, New York called Salvatore’s. I assure you, they are not meant to be ironic, and that I was faced with chastising looks when I wept with laughter. Perhaps I should upload my cellphone snaps to the flkr pool, for they are things of beauty.
- mr_frakypants
  
  I don’t think I would ever go to a locale whose people I considered less sophisticated than myself, and openly mock their artwork that was clearly of a serious or emotional nature regardless of how ridiculous I thought it was. You, sir, are the salt of the Earth.
  - Donald Petersen
    
    The salts of the Earth around whom I grew up made a hobby out of openly mocking the artworks of people generally considered more sophisticated than themselves. Hell, I include myself in them salts. That was good fun, that was.
    
    I kinda like this painting. I find it inexplicably sweet.
geekcalif

I guess this post is all so hip and tongue in cheek funny if you never actually lost anybody in 9/11.
- Mark_Frauenfelder
  
  The painting is not funny; it’s bizarre. But if it comforts you then I am glad.
- Miranda Connor
  
  I lost a close friend in the North Tower. Pretty sure she would have liked this post too. You don’t have to lose someone to tragedy to spot ridiculous kitsch and crap art when its put in front of you. Or to laugh at the notion that an imaginary man would need comfort from another imaginary man about anything. Except maybe the fact that Dumbledore is dead, or something like that.
http://www.timgoral.com/ Tim Goral

Two imaginary figures for the price of one? Awesome!
- Miranda Connor
  
  Maybe its supposed to represent Jebus comforting the Coca Cola Company?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_O73GS2LP4ARSDL3DDRC4OZXMQI Keith

My theory is that this represents the point when Jesus sends Santa back in time to bring joy to the world in exchange for the suffering brought about by 9/11. You’ll note that Santa only started bringing gifts to folks within 1 lifespan of 9/11.

Edit> No, I’m not talking about that hokey European St. Nikolaus who brought dried fish sweets to Swedish kids starting in 1420, I’m talking about the good old American Santa of the Modern Era. Thanks.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_G7SMCZJ7XB2D6JY7DOUCBMXOJM andy

I could just as easily see this in a post for the latest Rog La Rue show, being sold by a ironic artist with an additional zero added to the price. Really.
Tom Hale

What the Hell? Okay, we know many US citizens are Christian, and many are patriotic. Add in a popular semi-religious character -Santa. Why? Why the insult? Is it just because you can? Here you have a very popular blog, you hate republicans, Christians, the fact that many Americans became more patriotic after 9/11/01, so when you find a painting that insults all of them -you post it. Just for the hell of it -because it’s fun! What an Ahole!
- Mark_Frauenfelder
  
  The woman who painted it is not trying to insult anybody. If you are insulted by the painting then the people who do like it probably consider you a wild-eyed radical. Get out of here, you commie!
  - Tom Hale
    
    I don’t like the painting -is that really supposed to be Santa?
    What is insulting is that it was posted here to poke fun at religion. If that’s a painting of Jesus and Santa consoling each other over the attacks on 9/11/01, then it’s a pretty darn stupid painting. We get it, there are some stupid religious folks out there -I just hate that you point it out every chance you get. Not all of us are stupid.
    - Lobster
      
      If this is a direct attack on a religion, I’m not sure I get it. It seems more surreal to me. I also did not read the article. :D
      
      That said, not all atheists, skeptics or otherwise non-believers thinks religious people (even Christians) are stupid. I don’t think the Bible is historically or scientifically accurate, but there are reasons to believe other than accuracy. Good, valid reasons. I’ll poke fun at literalists, sure. But people who are looking for community, or comfort, or happiness, or fulfillment, or a codified and proven guideline for ethics? If you can get that from religion then that’s as good a reason to believe as any, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
    - http://crissa.twu.net/ Crissa
      
      Wait, you don’t want people’s foolishness pointed out? Why?
    - Cowicide
      
      We get it, there are some stupid religious folks out there -I just hate that you point it out every chance you get. Not all of us are stupid.
      
      But some of you are concern trolls, that’s for sure.
- Cowicide
  
  What an Ahole!
  
  Tom, I don’t think Mark was attempting to insult you by posting this picture. Save all your angst for me instead.
  - Tom Hale
    
    EDIT: Nevermind
    - Cowicide
      
      I know what you said before you edited it and that was some nasty business. But look, if you bring the chaps, I’ll bring the lube and it’s still ON.
benher

I will tattoo this for free on anyone who wants it.
light_saber

I thought the Tea Party disapproved of the “secularization” of Christmas (i.e., Santa).

I think the ultimate “Tea Party Fantasy” scene/painting is the one from this fabulous TV offer:

http://www.buyonenationundergod.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Beware the liberal news reporter!
Guest

There are no limits to where the human mind will soar or stoop to find meaning — especially if there is money involved.
zebbart

Yeah, I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Sorry Mark. I still think using this picture to mock any particular group of people is dumb and unfunny, but I have to admit I do find the picture itself without any context is a just plain funny image, and certainly bizarre. But to be fair, it’s no more bizarre and ridiculous than lots of outsider or folk art, modern or historical. I’m still amazed it was not created either as a satire, or by someone with mental problems, or by a non-American who just jammed iconic American things together.
Lobster

I guess only Christians were harmed in 9/11. No Jews, Muslims, Hindi, Shintoist, Buddhists, Scientologists, or Otherists lived anywhere near the towers.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HNUBKMNQNUAXROLJPHGR2AIAK4 Gibb

Did Santa cry after the Crusades too?
- Tom Hale
  
  I think he did after the children’s crusade. I know I read that somewhere.
  - Lobster
    
    You’d think it would have made his job way easier.
Jimmy Morales, Jr.

What is Jesus doing with is left hand? This is a couple of beers away from being porn.
manlambda

Where is the Easter Bunny? I guess Santa has better PR people.
John Meats

Where is Adolphus Hitler in all of this? He kneels – waiting by his stollcking – unsure of whether his Rhesus is to Beevis. The truest crime is art criticism. So why don’t we all lay off of this and jews our battles moire Weise lee? Der vent esse venting aphtre alle. If Jesus loves Santy Claus, WTF?
Atticus Dogsbody

The artist supposedly going to have a print on display at the George W. Bush Library… that says a lot. http://www.theweepingsanta.com/about.php

On another note, the whaaambulance need to stop by this thread and pick up all the cry babies “Waah, waah. The meanies are picking on Jebus and the Tea Party. Waah.”
- Lobster
  
  After watching the Republican debates, I don’t have too much sympathy for the Tea Party. The audience seemed pretty gung ho about letting a 30-year-old with a medical emergency die on the streetcorner if he or she can’t pay for it out of pocket.
  
  I’m not going to say no one has the right to that belief, or that it’s completely indefensible or unsupportable. I will say that if someone is going to be that callous, they give up their right to whine that a stupid picture hurts their little feelings.