Giant penis sculpture erected in city square sparks outrage

The mayor of this city always hoped this sculpture would generate a buzz - and it appears he’s achieved just that with many left outraged.

A sculpture of an enormous, veiny phallus has been erected in a town square in Italy, outraging the online masses who deemed the colourful manhood monument “disgusting” and a “piece of crap”.

Dubbed “Tu si ‘na cosa grande” (“You’re a big thing”) the 11.8 metre-tall leaning tower of penis sprung up recently in the Piazza Municipio in Naples, Italy.

Pesce’s phallus replaced Michelangelo Pistoletto’s ‘Venere Degli Stracci’ installation after it succumbed to fire. Picture: Jam Press

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-coloured knob-elisk was the brainchild of Gaetano Pesce, who died six months ago in New York City at 83.

But not everyone is happy about it. Picture: Jam Press

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.

Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi was forced to defend the sculpture. Picture: Jam Press

Many branded it ‘disgusting’. Picture: Jam Press

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,” according to a post on the late artist’s Instagram page.

Manfredi said he always hoped ‘Tu si ‘na cosa grande’ would generate global buzz. Picture: Jam Press

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, reported local media. “But the idea of the work is of a stylised 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.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission