Bold and Provocative: Phallic Art Installation Sparks Controversy in Naples

Key points

• A 12-metre (39-foot) phallic sculpture has been installed in Naples , Italy, sparking controversy and debate.
• The work, titled "Tu si' na cosa grande," was created by the late Italian artist Gaetano Pesce and replaced Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Venus of Rags" sculpture.
• The installation cost around 180,000 euros, of which 160,000 euros came from the Campania regional funds for culture.
• The sculpture features two giant hearts pierced by Cupid's arrow alongside the phallic form, eliciting a range of reactions from the audience.
• The work will remain on display in the Piazza del Municipio until December 19.

A huge 12-metre (39-foot) phallic sculpture has appeared in Naples , Italy, causing a stir. It is called "Tu si' na cosa grande" or "You are a great thing" in the local dialect. It replaced Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Venus of Rags" sculpture, which was destroyed in a fire.

The artist behind the work is the late Italian artist Gaetano Pesce , who died in New York last April at age 83. The sculpture, featuring two giant hearts and Cupid's arrow, has sparked many different reactions.

Gaetano Manfredi, the mayor of Naples, unveiled the sculpture, which was funded by €160,000 from the Campania regional government. The total cost, including installation and security, was around €180,000.

Naples residents and visitors have mixed feelings about the sculpture. Some admire its audacity, while others find it offensive.

“Contemporary art must provoke discussions and engagement.”

- Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples

The History and Cultural Significance of Phallic Symbolism in Art

The phallus, or male reproductive organ, has long fascinated artists and cultures around the world. From ancient cave paintings to the Venus of Willendorf, it holds a special place in human art.

In ancient Greece and Rome, love was considered an art form. The phallus was a key part of literature, poetry, and art. Over time, its meaning changed, showing both power and pleasure, aggression and fertility. Today, debates rage over its place in art and public spaces.

Phallic imagery has been a large part of art and culture for centuries. It shows the complex nature of human sexuality and its artistic representation.