If you’re upset with or encouraged by the “gleeful” destruction of Splash Mountain know this: all is vanity.
Adjust your mindset accordingly.
I’m certainly not telling you not to have a reaction, I’ve had one. I’m not telling you this is simple; on the one hand a company has every right to dispose of its property as it sees fit, and on the other the success of that property has been due to the consumers’ love for it and that love should be respected. What I want is for you take the long view of history and see that this is the disquieting echo of momentous events, now being play-acted by people who should be the caretakers of history.
Once upon a time, there was place where engineers were artists, and artists were engineers. Significant resources were poured into beautifying even the smallest details. But, the human heart knows that the world is ugly and there is something within all of us which, if unchecked, will tear down the accomplishments of others to make room for whatever we wish will fill the void. That impulse flowered in Florence when Savonarola preached to the people that the trinkets surrounding them should be destroyed in a fire that would light the way to a better future. His message galvanized the people to turn away from those things which kept them from a higher calling.
That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.
Tuesday, February 7, 1497 – Martedí Grasso (Shrove Tuesday)
Following the Catholic Holy Week, but before Ash Wednesday comes a time for contemplation, confession, and absolution. Those who will celebrate lent enjoy a last day of high living. It’s a largely secular holiday in America where it’s called by the French name Mardi Gras. Churches (traditionally) burn the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. This year into the bonfires went mirrors, clothes, makeup, playing cards, books, and masterworks.
Botticelli was so carried off by his passions that he destroyed his own art. You know Botticelli, even if you don’t know his name. 500 years ago he created works of such beauty that they remain in the public consciousness even in a time when art has turned its back on grace and truth.
February 2023
As reported here by WDWPro, Imagineers gathered together while watching elements of the iconic Splash Mountain shredded. We’re told there was glee and celebration. This was purgation, not of personal occasional sin, but other people’s collective secular sin. The weak echo of what came before.
Splash Mountain was always strange to me. An attraction based on a movie that Disney will not allow to see the light of day. They’ve worked to keep Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah in the zeitgeist since the ’40’s, even though within the narrative it’s sung by a slave who’s content in his place. Of course, there would be tension within a company so two-faced.
500 years ago, Botticelli, an enduring master, burned his own work for fear that he may keep himself and others from heaven in the world to come. Weeks ago, Imagineers were happy to destroy the works of their predecessors to build a heaven on earth where there is no wrong think. You see, in this new material religion one doesn’t need to sacrifice what makes them happy, just what makes you happy.
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