Conspicuous Consumption in the MOMA

The Casarta Royal Palace in Florence, Italy.  

I didn't find the exhibition I'd heard about at Bogotá's Modern Art Museum, but instead just the sort of things I don't like: Abstract modern art (what's the point here?) and huge, luscious photos of centuries-old European conspicuous consumption.

But, upon reflection, the gaudiness and ostentatiousness of Europe's rich of another era does provide insight on today, when many of those same nations are in recession, and perhaps permanent decadence, while the New World - from which the Old World wrested much of its wealth - is vigorous and growing. (The photos are by Massimo Listri, of Florence, Italy.)

Today, is wealth better or worse distributed than in the days of the Medicis? Do the super-rich plutocrats contribute more to society and suck less out of it? Is royalty less luxurious and wasteful?

The Campiegne Castle in France. 

It seems to me that by many measures things have improved. I'm not sure about wealth distribution, but most likely overall our era's Bill Gates, Sam Waltons, Mark Zuckerbergs, Santodomingos and Sarmientos  bring the common people more benefits than did the money lenders of Florence. Which isn't to say that a guy like Woods Staton, the third-wealthiest Colombian, has done wonders for the country by stuffing stomachs with saturated fats and cholesterol thru his McDonald's chain.

As for the much-diminished modern royalty, the King of Spain recently apologized for taking an African safari with his German girlfriend while his recession-stricken subjects scramble to pay the rent. But not long ago such extravegances were royalty's God-given right, and while royals still live in splendor, I haven't heard of any of them putting up new palaces recently.

The exhibition goes until May 25.

The Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain. 

The Medicis Chapel, Florence, Italy. 

I'm not sure why this poor horse is hanging in the Rivoli Castle in Turin, Italy. 

The Uffizi's gallery in Florence, Italy. 

The Abadia Library of Kremsmunster, Austria. 

Colombia's National Library seen thru the museum's window - not quite as ostentatious, but more useful. 

Bogotá's own overly-expensive construction project - the Transmilenio line to the airport, which allegedly enriched an ex-mayor. But at least it's useful, and for the common people. 

The Royal Palace in Caserta, Italy. 

The Royal Palace in Caserta, Italy. 

Sala de Niobe, in Florence, Italy. 

Semazzenno Castle in Florence, Italy. 

In the Vatican, which has had its own troubles recently. 

The Vatican Museum - but doesn't the Catholic Church frown on public nudity? Maybe not when it's 'art.'

The Vatican. 

And Versailles, synonym of wealth and debauchery. 

Versailles.

Versailles, again. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours