In the News: Political Humor at Home

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

The New York Times has an article and interesting slideshow showcasing the 1830 townhouse of director Roland Emmerich (10,000 BC, Independence Day) in London. When the German-born director moved into stuffy neighborhood Knightsbridge, he asked his interior designer to create a space that was “as nonfrumpy as possible,” that reflected "his predilection for art with a political edge." Especially during a national election, these days, political humor is rampant. But, most of us get our fill flipping through a copy of The Onion or turning on The Daily Show. On a tour through Emmerich's home though, you'll find Chinese propaganda posters, Mao sculptures, a desk made from the wing of a World War II plane, a life-size wax statue of Pope John Paul II reading his own obituary, and even a diorama depicting John F. Kennedy's assassination. Shown here is a bedroom decorated in traditional Brit fashion with "English rose" wallpaper and a chenille bedspread, but the designer took a light-hearted political jab by hanging a portrait of Princess Di giving the middle finger above touristy London statuettes and a pair of Princess Diana and Prince Charles dolls set in the fire place. Next to it is a bird cage shaped like the White House and a statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired by Rodin's "The Thinker." I wouldn't feel at home in this space, but I'm wildly entertained. Are you impressed? Disgusted? Apathetic?
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