Kanye West wore silver body paint to perform his opera ‘Mary’ at Art Basel

Kanye West attends a church event in Miami covered in silver

I hope everyone likes these photos of Silver Kanye West, because I’m probably going to be using them for MONTHS. Kanye was in Miami over the weekend to present his latest Christian opera, “Mary.” It’s just one piece of Kanye’s larger Evangelical transformation, and this Christian opera was developed out of his Sunday Service thing, where he preaches and sings and there’s a choir and band. Kanye wanted to do something for Art Basel, so here it is – he painted himself in silver body paint, alongside dozens of other performers, and this is what happened:

Kanye West is taking his religious-inspired work to a new level. On Sunday night, the Grammy-winner, 42, presented his nativity-themed Opera “Mary,” on a barge at outdoor Miami Marine Stadium to close out Art Basel — a huge art fair in Florida. West’s performance, starring his “Sunday Service Collective,” was directed by Vanessa Beecroft. The show kicked off an hour late, likely due of logistics because the stadium could only be reached by boat. For their performance, the choir was dressed in silver robes and silver face paint.

Performers acted out 12 biblical scenes during the show and the audience was given programs to help them follow along. The programs included sketches, titles and some lyrics from the acts which progressed from Gabriel visiting Mary to Mary’s pregnancy to the birth of Jesus and the prophecy. West’s hits including “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Love Lockdown” were sung by the choir some scenes while religious hymns like “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” and “Gabriel’s Aria” were performed in others.

“Kanye narrated the whole thing, then came out in full face paint and the silver robe,” Sam Baum, owner of the new disco club Minnie’s in Wynwood, Florida,—— tells PEOPLE.

After his performance, West and his crew stopped by his friend Rich Wilkerson’s VOUS church in Wynwood. Wilkerson officiated Kim Kardashian and West’s wedding in 2014. At the church, West and his choir performed more songs including Ye’s latest, “Jesus Walks.” This time, the singers were dressed in navy blue and black outfits and their silver makeup had been removed. West kept it simple, wearing sunglasses throughout. Afterwards, Wilkerson stepped on stage and gave his famous friend a big hug — the audience of hundreds went wild.

[From People]

If this was a proper nouveau opera with real music, telling a real story, I feel like it might be something I would enjoy. But it sounds more like Silver Kanye standing on stage, mansplaining Mary’s life as the vignettes are poorly acted in between choral arrangements of Kanye’s songs. I mean… maybe it was cool. But it sounds like a mess. Still, at least we got to see Kanye in silver paint.

Kanye West attends a church event in Miami covered in silver

Kanye West attends a church event in Miami covered in silver

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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62 Responses to “Kanye West wore silver body paint to perform his opera ‘Mary’ at Art Basel”

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  1. Mrs. Peel says:

    He looks like James Corden impersonating Kanye – and I’m here for it.

  2. lucy2 says:

    He does not look well, and this whole hyper-religious thing seems manic.

    • cherriepie84 says:

      Was thinking the same thing! The silver paint surely highlights something about him. I do not know if he looks sad or unwell but definitely, its unsettling.

      • SM says:

        Same here. Even all that paint can’t hide it – something feels terribly off, though I can’t put my finger on it. Anyhow, considering he has small children, it seems especially dangerous. Like a ticking time bomb. Did Kim just gave up on him? Like she is ok with him wondering around in this crazy state just as long as he leaves her alone? Because it must be tiresome to be around him. Because clearly he needs help and we all just need him to go away.

    • Paige says:

      This man should be institutionalized unless he goes back on meds. It’s ‘all fun and games until someone loses an eye’, (that’s my grandma talking)

    • I came here to say the same thing. The hyper religiosity, the self aggrandizement. This is not a mentally well man.

    • SK2 says:

      I cannot feel comfortable making fun of him and actually feel worried about his wellbeing

  3. Darla says:

    He looks like a baked potato but okay.

  4. Val says:

    Just wow….

  5. Lindy says:

    He looks bloated and puffy (silver drape notwithstanding) and the sharp turn into religious zealotry is alarming. I feel for his daughters and hope they don’t get raised with the shame and double standards of evangelical christianity. (It took me until my mid 30s to leave that damage behind myself).

    • ME says:

      Kim has already stated he doesn’t want her wearing certain clothing so I’m guessing he’s going to treat his daughters the same way. The “man must be in control” seems to be the narrative. I bet he agreed with what T.I. did too. Also, the bloat might be from his meds (if he’s taking them).

      • Swack says:

        He’s already told Kim that North cannot wear makeup right now.

      • ME says:

        @ Swack

        Yeah the truth is he’s never around to actually enforce any” rules”. Does he think by the time his kids are teens they will have any respect for him and his “authority”. They will throw it in his face that he was never around.

      • Starkille says:

        Swack—North is six years of age. No six-years-old needs to or should be wearing makeup, so I will agree with him on this one.

      • Swack says:

        @me, had an ex like that.
        @starkille, I agree to an extent that 6 year olds should not be wearing make up on a daily basis but my 6 yr old LOVES putting on make up and wearing it around the house. If he is banning all make up any time then that is not okay.

  6. Lala11_7 says:

    I…don’t see how THIS…will end well

  7. Lady D says:

    Plastic and paint. Kim and Kanye are a match made in acrylic heaven.

  8. ME says:

    Kim posted pics of Saint’s 4th bday from this weekend…so Kanye missed the party for THIS?

    • lucy2 says:

      I don’t think they have much of an actual relationship.

      • ME says:

        Not even with his own kids though?

      • Lala11_7 says:

        @Me: No….seriously…how could he?

      • ME says:

        @ Lala11_7

        LOL I knew the answer to my own question I was just stating that because it bothers me that this man keeps saying he wants like 10 kids and how he so badly wanted an “heir” and now he doesn’t even bother spending time with the 4 he has. It makes me sad really. They go so over-board spoiling their kids with expensive toys/clothing and lots of candy to make up for the fact they are being raised by nannies.

  9. Flamingo says:

    I think it might be time for Kris/Kim to check him into the hospital again. This seems awfully manic.

  10. Hope says:

    Reminds me of Tobias on Arrested Development – “I just blue myself.”

  11. eto says:

    LOL I’m getting Tobias Fünke

  12. ClaireB says:

    First, I wonder how anyone who loves this poor man is letting him wander around acting out his mental illness, exposing him to ridicule. And then I read the article and look at the pictures, and I think, “This fool is just showing us who he is deep down inside, mental illness or not.” I think all my sympathy for him has dried up.

  13. tempest prognosticator says:

    Looks like a cry for help to me.

  14. whatWHAT? says:

    he looks ridiculous. I feel like this is an “Emperor’s new clothes” situation, where nobody will tell him just HOW ridiculous he’s become because they still want to get paid.

    and that costume/face paint really shows just how bloated and unwell he looks.

  15. smee says:

    Looks like one of those guys in Times Square or Hollywood who want $ for taking his pic!

  16. Ang says:

    It’s obvious that’s he lost his mind ( again) the whole “ church” thing he’s doing now is out there too. He’s not preaching biblical truth he’s preaching ( ranting) Kanye’s truths. Only a nut would dress in that mess and on purpose miss your 4 year old son”s birthday.

  17. JanetFerber says:

    He looks an absolute fool in this outfit. What would his mother say? He’s been going off the rails seriously since her death and each new manifestation of mental health issues shows the people around him are neglecting his best interests. And people like Osteen making bank on him? And Kim, who should have his best interests at heart, clearly does not. Just no.

    • Sparky says:

      How exactly is anyone supposed to “control” his behavior? Pursuant to CA Welfare and Institutions Code, involuntary hospitalization via 5150 or 5250 hold is only for those who pose a danger to themselves or others. Kanye doesn’t meet the criteria.

  18. manda says:

    Omg, the tin man looked so lean in his silver makeup. Kanye looks very bloated

  19. broodytrudy says:

    Chick-fil-aaayyyyy

  20. Sharon says:

    No one seemed to notice the Tattinger? Was that a post operatic celebratory drink?

  21. bekindbekindbekind says:

    His first attempt at Biblical Opera (at the Hollywood Bowl a few weeks ago) bombed.

    You don’t write & produce a new opera in a month. Unless all you care about is exploiting the Bible for fame & profit. He’s hardly the first to realize that. This way any legitimate criticism can be dismissed as somehow anti his newfound Holiness.

    He’s PT Barnum without the wit – but with all the avarice.

  22. Molly Fulton says:

    *note to self: silver is not slimming*

  23. HK9 says:

    Imma say, what I always say regarding Kanye….this will not end well.

  24. Tiffany :) says:

    This makes me feel so uncomfortable. The photos disturb me for some reason.

  25. Catting says:

    He genuinely could not look worse or sillier.

  26. A says:

    Someone made a comparison between him and kaaju katli on Twitter and I can’t see anything else now.

  27. Liz version 700 says:

    Please always use these pictures for the remainder of time. I am here for “Bring in the silver Clown” Kanye! He clearly needs help. But as he currently prefers to be Jesus’s hype man instead I give myself permission to laugh myself silly at these pictures. Seriously though, he is not OK.

  28. SZQ428 says:

    When an opera is about a religious subject or based on actual scripture it is called an oratorio. This is a basic music history 101 definition…Also, without having seen the piece, it really shouldn’t be called an opera if it has spoken dialogue. The whole thing about opera verses musical theater is that opera is entirely sung and set to music. Musical Theater Oratorio might be a more acurate genre description of Kanye’s performance.

  29. jenner says:

    This is hilarious. Even funnier that he takes himself so seriously. But who the hell is listening to him and giving him a platform? Madness.

  30. Oliviajoy1995 says:

    So has Kim just given up entirely on him now? I never see her even pretending to support his manic behavior anymore.

  31. Lisabella says:

    He probably saves his “waste” IF you know what I mean 💩

  32. ooshpick says:

    there’s nothing like a zealot! bob Dylan had a whole series of albums come out when he converted to Christianity. I don’t know. I know one genius and he is not well at all. His mind is wide open and he channels very interesting thoughts. that said he has a diagnosis and is a long term addict. I watched one of Kanye’s nouveau religious songs and boy was it bad. I felt sorry for him. I think I’ve seen some major talent in him but this was not that. It was turgid and sanctimonious. I really think he needs some direction to channel his considerable talent. His ego/mental illness is getting in his way. I hope he finds some good friends. 🙂

  33. Skittlesandkittens says:

    Definitely off his rocker. Look at all that silver meticulously put into and around his ears and the eyeliner. Really sad.

  34. cathy marcotte says:

    I was in Miami for the start of art basel; thank god i didn’t see this shit show

  35. Craptastic says:

    😳😳😳🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😐😐😐😐🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂😀😀😀😀😃😃😃😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂🤣☺️🤣😂🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣

  36. spike says:

    ooh a walking burrito

  37. Cami says:

    This poor guy is mentally ill, makes me sick people are profiting from it.