I had been waiting for some time to sit down and write a 4-part blog dedicated to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video; the first installment is already posted below. While I’m still planning on doing this, I wanted to divert quickly so to comment on the “Freak Factor” that continues to build and surround Lady. Surely, this is largely a self-perpetuating phenomenon, as she ups the ante on a daily basis—whether it be in her fashion choices or in her stage and video performances. What I find really interesting is the “need” for many sensible and good-minded people to protect themselves from the Freak Factor that is Lady, and subsequently the Freak Factor that is me because I adore her.
I am certainly not one to look for and ask for justification, apologies or even condolences on my condition. What I do wish for is that people free themselves of judgment, their boundaries and codes of what exactly is supposed to be right or wrong, moral or unjust, sacred or profane. This is not to be confused for a desire for a state of anarchy.
As I think about this, I’m reminded of Raphael’s last and great painting, The Transfiguration (1520). In the top half of the painting, a transfigured Christ surrounded by prophets Moses and Elias exist in the midst of heavenly levitation. The bottom half of the painting shows the Apostles trying to cure a boy who is possessed by demons. While at least one of the Apostles gestures toward the apparition of Christ above, not one looks up at it. Rather, all eyes are fixated on the Lunatic Boy, whose Freak Factor needs healing and restraint. Arguably, the Lunatic Boy is the only one here who has any recognition of what’s happening above him.
So, the next time that Freak Bitch says or does something so outrageously “wrong”, I’d take a good look up and around…Just sayin’ is all.
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- Lady Gaga
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- Raphael, The Transfiguration (1520)
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- Cindy Sherman, Untitled #205, after Raphael (1989)
