Santa crucified by consumerism
Santa crucified by consumerism: Man protests commercialized Christmas
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Saturday, December 22nd 2007, 6:02 PM
Art Conrad hung a Santa from a cross in front of his West Bremerton, Wash. home, to make a statement about the commercialization of the holiday season. Steagall/AP
If you've stood in one line too many at the mall as you watched your bank account dwindle and your credit debt rise this holiday season, you might find a kindred spirit in Art Conrad.
The Bremerton, Wash., resident is fed up with the commercial aspects of Christmas, and he's voicing his protest in the form of some unorthodox holiday decorating: Santa on the cross.
Conrad has nailed jolly old St. Nick to a 15-foot crucifix in front of his home.
"Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be," Conrad said. "Now he's the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff."
For his far flung friends who may not be able to see the holiday decor up close, Conrad used a photo of his crucified Santa for his Christmas cards, along with the message "Santa died for your MasterCard."
While some might be offended by the display, that's part of the plan. Conrad says he's also making a comment on political correctness and people's fears of saying what they really think.
Neighbors' reactions ranged from anger to curiosity to confusion.
The Santa got a chuckle out of one passerby, who told the Kitsap Sun newspaper, "I don't really know what to think. I know it's about God but Santa has nothing to do with it."
With the Associated Press
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Saturday, December 22nd 2007, 6:02 PM
Art Conrad hung a Santa from a cross in front of his West Bremerton, Wash. home, to make a statement about the commercialization of the holiday season. Steagall/AP
If you've stood in one line too many at the mall as you watched your bank account dwindle and your credit debt rise this holiday season, you might find a kindred spirit in Art Conrad.
The Bremerton, Wash., resident is fed up with the commercial aspects of Christmas, and he's voicing his protest in the form of some unorthodox holiday decorating: Santa on the cross.
Conrad has nailed jolly old St. Nick to a 15-foot crucifix in front of his home.
"Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be," Conrad said. "Now he's the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff."
For his far flung friends who may not be able to see the holiday decor up close, Conrad used a photo of his crucified Santa for his Christmas cards, along with the message "Santa died for your MasterCard."
While some might be offended by the display, that's part of the plan. Conrad says he's also making a comment on political correctness and people's fears of saying what they really think.
Neighbors' reactions ranged from anger to curiosity to confusion.
The Santa got a chuckle out of one passerby, who told the Kitsap Sun newspaper, "I don't really know what to think. I know it's about God but Santa has nothing to do with it."
With the Associated Press
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We first started with; Advertize before thanksgiving, we don't buy from you. Then went to draw name, buy one present for one person. Now, no presents period. Commercialized Christmas is a no, no around here. Most of the Christmas stuff is junk, anyway. 0
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