Bono is Like, Soooo New World Order...
[Interesting that the Solomonic Seal is central. -Jay]
Lawsuits and controversy over who owns the 'CoeXisT' sign
@U2, July 11, 2005
The stringing together of three religious icons to spell out the word "coexist" has been a crucial part of the Vertigo Tour since its opening night. This image, however, existed years before Bono put it on his forehead. Now, due to the increased attention, an American company with trademark rights to the image is suing web sites and companies using it without permission. The Israeli museum that first commissioned the image is claiming and protecting their copyright, and the Polish designer who created the image four years ago says he's being left out in the cold. All of this over a clever way of saying that we should all be getting along.
The sign is a crucial element of one of the most emotional and memorable portions of the Vertigo show: U2 concludes the heart-wrenching "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," and with the show's mood growing increasingly intense, a white headband appears on Bono's forehead for the opening chords of "Love and Peace or Else." The headband bears the handwritten message "COEXIST" with the Muslim crescent symbol representing the "C;" the Jewish Star of David, the "X;" and the Christian cross, the "T." As the next few songs progress, Bono kneels down, wrists crossed above his head, conjuring images of a hostage, now blindfolded with the CoeXisT band covering his eyes. In the European shows, the CoeXisT sign dominates the giant screen behind the band. And in the midst of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (which, according to Bono, doesn't just belong to Ireland anymore) Bono points to each religious icon and declares:
"Jesus, Jew, Muhammad, it's true...All sons of Abraham. Father Abraham, speak to your sons. Tell them, No more!"
Continued here.
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