Phallic 12-Meter Art Installation by Gaetano Pesce Raises Eyebrows in Naples
-
Loading... - Archie Bailey
- 15 Oct 2024
- 48 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
A new 12-meter artwork in one of Naples' main squares, Piazza del Municipio, has become a topic of conversation due to its phallic appearance and suggestive name. Created by the late Italian designer Gaetano Pesce, the cylindrical installation is titled "Tu si' 'na cosa grande," which means "You're a big thing" in the local dialect.
The artwork represents a stylized costume of the classic Neapolitan "Commedia dell'Arte" character Pulcinella. Alongside the column stand two giant hearts, pierced by Cupid's arrow, which can also be lit up from within.
The installation replaced Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Venus of the Rags," a supersized version of a classical Roman sculpture next to a mound of discarded clothes.
The phallic design of the artwork has sparked various reactions among locals. Matteo Vasta, a resident of Naples, commented, "After the famous 'Venus of the Rags,' we couldn't miss this one, which to be honest is really a phallic symbol in all its glory." Another local, Rosalba, expressed her curiosity about the new installation, "I'm wondering what Gaetano Pesce wanted to go for with this new installation."
Gaetano Pesce, who passed away in New York in April at the age of 84, was known for his inventive use of color and materials, incorporating socio-political and pop culture references in his work. His unique style and creativity continue to leave an impact on the art world, as evidenced by the buzz surrounding his latest installation in Naples.
