Freaky frescos from the Vatican to demonic Denver Airport

Okay so I’ve used the term “fresco” a little loosely in the headline above when I’m really referring to “artwork” which would probably have served just as well... guess I’m just a sucker for alliteration though.

But perhaps demonic artwork may have been a little strong for the likes of the imagery in the Vatican’s Hall of the Pontifical Audiences, the United Nations’ Security Council Chamber in New York and a Google-esque wallpaper download... but all have strangely archetypal iconography that makes them stand out and set tongues to wagging. But the Denver Airport complex? Well, I’ve absolutely no reservations about describing that as demonic.

Although, who knows, getting tongues wagging could simply be the purpose for the eye-catching imagery there too? But I’m going to take a different view simply because of the functionality of these buildings... they’re not really venues where you’d normally be trying to unsettle, shock or outright scare the bejesus out of those occupying the spaces. So, what could possibly be the motive behind such iconic art?

Well, call me crazy but let’s see, maybe it’s an indication of a theosophical affiliation to a mystical movement that’s sometimes referred to as the Illuminati, the New World Order or the global military-industrial complex? You know that top one per cent of the global population that’s got absolutely no respect for humanity, has way more money than sense and aims to keep it that way by turning the screw on society to protect their positions at the top of the tower.

And, from what I can gather, they’re a slightly maladjusted bunch too with some bizarre beliefs that I’d really struggle to adequately categorise here, although for some reason the term “bat-shit crazy” comes to mind. But, then again, maybe it’s just describing me for considering such notions? But, go on, indulge me.

Let’s start with the Vatican and the Hall of the Pontifical Audiences, also referred to as the Paul VI Audience Hall, designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and completed in 1971 which has, on the stage behind the papal pew, a huge work of art created by Pericle Fazzini that allegedly depicts the resurrection of Christ.

I’ve not seen the hall myself so I’m taking a lot of this on trust but based on the images of the artwork I’ve seen I’d have to say it would not be my interpretation of a conventional rendering of the resurrection. There’s very little joy in evidence, the sculpture more reminiscent of a representation of the horrors of hell than a scene of Easter rejoicing.

Fazzini’s enormous sculpture was presented to the Vatican in 1977 for Paul VI’s 80th birthday, which was less than a year before his death in August 1978. And, in an obituary for its sculptor in The New York Times a decade later in 1987, Fazzini described his inspiration for the artwork being to depict Jesus rising from a nuclear bomb crater.

“Suddenly there came to me the idea of Christ preaching peace for 2,000 years, and the place where he prayed for the last time: the olive grove of Gethsemane,” the obituary quotes Fazzini as saying. “I had the idea of depicting Christ as if he were rising again from the explosion of this large olive grove, peaceful site of his last prayers. Christ rises from this crater torn open by a nuclear bomb; an atrocious explosion, a vortex of violence and energy.”

Now I sincerely hope the guy wasn’t inspired by a vision of what the powers that be have planned for humanity before the scheduled reintroduction of the messiah because, by many accounts, a false-flag event to herald in such an event could be just around the corner.

But anyway, the hall, which only partly occupies space in the Vatican City... sitting mainly outside in Rome, with the Italian section treated as an extension of the Holy See (the central governing body of the Vatican and Catholic Church).

Commissioned in 1963, the auditorium was built on land donated by the Knights of Columbus, a purely Catholic organisation that has “absolutely” no association with freemasonry whatsoever, with construction starting in 1966. However, just as an aside, there are those who say that within the eight city blocks that make up the Vatican state no fewer than four Scottish Rite lodges function, with many of the highest Vatican officials believed to be Masons. The evidence of this allegedly comes from “Carlos Vazquez Rangel, grand commander of the supreme council of the Masons of Mexico”, who proudly divulged this information during an interview with the political journal Processo on 1 June 1993.

Why am I taking this tangent? Well, the resurrection sculpture is not the only anomaly in the Paul VI Audience Hall, in fact the other is even more mystical... although perhaps “mysterious” would be a better choice of words. What is it? Well, it’s the serpentine features displayed throughout the building from its external shape to what resembles a gigantic viper staring down the auditorium.

The exterior, since having its roof retrofitted with photovoltaic panels in 2008, has been likened to the head of a pit viper but the imagery inside is far more striking. Standing at the far end of the hall and looking all the way down to the stage at the other end you could form the opinion there’s a giant viper staring right back at you... the stage itself is the mouth with fang-like pillars at either side, the centre aisle the tongue and the design of the ceiling and walls reminiscent of snake skin, but it’s the characteristic elliptical eyes formed by the windows that really emphasise the serpentine effect.

But a museum of herpetology it is not, although had an architect been commissioned to create a visual effect for such an establishment it’s far from clear what may have been done differently. However, it’s actually a hall that serves as a venue for papal presentations, concerts and other similar events that frequently involve younger participants... so, does Jesus rising from a nuclear holocaust or a massive open-mouthed serpent staring at audiences and performers seem appropriate? It’s something I’d certainly question, especially when you examine the symbolism of serpentine iconography and its links to “secret societies”.

Just a quick mention here, but after many years of researching mysterious topics I’ve just now come across an “Illuminati” website... so, obviously not such a secret anymore, is it? Its owners claiming to be The Illuminati Secret Society.

Have to admit it’s a clever little marketing or public relations ploy at this point in history... even has an application form. I mean, how sinister can the organisation be if it’s got its own website and is courting new members? Even has a page on 14 Illuminati symbols and their meanings, with the “snake” as one, although the site has a privacy policy to protect such content... which, of course, I shall adhere to.

However, seeking serpentine wisdom elsewhere has broadened the scope of this investigation significantly, so check out PART TWO of this series for more on the significance of snakes and why a giant viper might stare out across the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.