Call it the artist’s magnum opus.
A sculpture of an enormous, veiny phallus has been erected in a town square in Italy, outraging the online masses who deemed the colorful manhood monument “disgusting” and a “piece of crap.”
Dubbed “Tu si’ ‘na cosa grande’” (“You’re a big thing”) the 39-foot-high leaning tower of penis sprung up recently in the Piazza Municipio in Naples, Italy, Jam Press reported.
Stunned tourists gathered around to snap photos of the not-safe-for-work of art, which was inaugurated today at a soiree featuring Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi.
The rainbow-colored knob-elisk was the brainchild of Gaetano Pesce, who died six months ago in New York City at 83.
Pesce devised the “big thing” as an interpretation of the iconic Pulcinella character who originated in the Commedia dell’Arte — a popular form of Italian improv comedy based on stock characters — in the 17th century. The icon, who was a fixture at Neapolitan puppet shows, has since become an emblem of Naples.
Standing alongside the massive member are two giant hearts pierced by Cupid’s arrow, which can be illuminated from within.
Pesce concocted the installations to “express his gratitude towards these surroundings that bring great energy both to his creative work and the people that he loves,” per a post on the late artist’s Instagram page.
However, gawkers on social media didn’t share his enthusiasm over the penile piece, which notably replaced Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Venere Degli Stracci” installation after the latter perished in a fire.
“How Neapolitans can tolerate such a piece of c–p is truly a mystery,” said one critic, while another wrote, “The name of the artwork is very apt considering it looks like a giant dildo.”
“It is disgusting, nothing to do with art, that’s my personal opinion,” critiqued a third.
However, current mayor Gaetano Manfredi defended the artwork.
“Initially when I saw it I thought what others have thought as well,” the politician argued, per local media. “But the idea of the work is of a stylized representation of the relationship between Pulcinella and the hearts of Neapolitans.”
Manfredi claimed that the fact that the phallus is “being discussed means the work has achieved its goal,” adding that he thought Pesce was one of the “world’s greatest artists.”
However, someone might need to call a doctor — as the phallus will reportedly stay up until December 19.
