"WARNING: HORSE COCK"

My penis is a work of art.
posted by billysumday at 10:33 AM on April 13, 2006

heh. Long.
posted by rxrfrx at 10:33 AM on April 13, 2006

Some of the stuff is whimsical and nice. I wish her artist's statement wasn't so inane. It took the fun right out of it all, and there's nothing in her art serious enough to sustain her critique.
posted by OmieWise at 10:45 AM on April 13, 2006

It was funny to see her complaining about not seeing cocks everywhere, and thinking that the dick must be sacred because it's hidden. Did she miss Maplethorpe? In total, silly and funny but not all that interesting as art, at least to me. Maybe because I've got one? (Though there's a decent argument for that being an effective result of the piece, with regard to how many women seem to view breasts in art).
posted by klangklangston at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2006

Point to Omie.
posted by klangklangston at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2006

A frat house?
posted by nofundy at 10:47 AM on April 13, 2006

... and as long as we are on this artistic theme: Penis Birds by Dean Adams.
posted by madamjujujive at 10:53 AM on April 13, 2006

She raises a worthwhile issue, if simple. Women's bodies do seem rather omnipresent, and last time I was at the bar, nobody was yellin at me, "Heeey! Show your dick! Show your dick!"

I'd a done it, too.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 10:55 AM on April 13, 2006

That's why they don't yell it.
posted by klangklangston at 10:55 AM on April 13, 2006

Because dicks are boring. Breasts on the other hand, being firm and pirky, are an omnipresent attraction. Besides, what women find attractive in men is either the chest or the butt.
posted by gregb1007 at 11:00 AM on April 13, 2006

Too bad the Bulgarian Bar in Manhattan closed/moved, Baby_Balrog, they'll give you a shot if you take your pants off. My roommate's done it more than a few times (I'm too modest, even for liquour). Of course no one yells "show your dick" but I bet they're thinking it.
posted by jrb223 at 11:00 AM on April 13, 2006

Why can't she just try to explore the penis in her art without making it about getting back at male-dominated society? It's kind of lame that she chose the tired 'I'm-angry-because-women-are-objectified' theme instead of trying to open up a mature discussion of the penis, or of the male pubic area, or 'forbidden' anatomy in general.

Plus, that main piece on the site just looks like some sort of monstrous, glass cock-hookah.
posted by NationalKato at 11:00 AM on April 13, 2006

Shit, The Bulgarian Bar closed? That was my favorite place in Manhattan. I haven't been for a couple of years, but I think of it fondly all the time.
posted by OmieWise at 11:03 AM on April 13, 2006

Reason you seldom see male parts is because they are hardcore obscene (by American standards). Boobies, not so much.

Myself, I rather liked this one, in a dark humor sort of way.
posted by Goofyy at 11:03 AM on April 13, 2006

"In film and the media, women’s bodies are exposed, exploited and paraded around like cattle. It makes me angry. I have to ask: Why are women’s bodies exposed and not men’s? My intent with this exhibit is to try to equalize the experience of what women are subjected to on a regular basis."

Wow, what a disappointment. Here I thought it was going to be a celebration of the male form, and not an expression of contempt for men (and their natural emphasis on visual stimulation).

I like naked women. I think as a straight male this is about the most natural thing in the world. I don't need context to enjoy a naked woman I find attractive. I don't need any attachment to enjoy a naked woman I find attractive. I'm far from alone on this matter. Society has responded and presents many opportunities to see attractive naked women, from the art museum to the movie theater. I'm just not ashamed of finding women attractive, despite the fact some people think I should be.

I wish there was more male nudity in the public sphere because I'm a bit jealous of the power of the female form that isn't granted to the male form. I wish the display of the male nude would be responded to with the awe / ogling / worship of the female form instead of the snickering / snickering / dismissiveness it currently has. I was really hoping this project was working along those lines, a "hey men are beautiful too!" project rather then a "Let's see how those male chauvinists like it when they are displayed like meat!" project.

And there is no way this will "equalize the experience of what women are subjected to on a regular basis" because you have to look at the intentions of why this nudity is on display. Female nudity is so prevalent because men love the female body. They love looking at it, they go glassy eyed at the sight of it, they are willing to travel far and wide (and pay cold hard cash) to experience it. So the level of female nudity is a result of the average man's love of the female form (of course some have tried to tie together the notion that loving the female body necessitates contempt for women). For things to be "equal" men would have to surrounded by penises in the context that they are there because women simply love penises and love looking at penises. Surrounding men with penises to express your anger with natural male behavior is not even close to "equal" in my opinion.
posted by Jezztek at 11:08 AM on April 13, 2006

there's nothing in her art serious enough to sustain her critique

Dude, nothing is more serious than the mighty sword!
posted by jonmc at 11:12 AM on April 13, 2006

last time I was at the bar, nobody was yellin at me, "Heeey! Show your dick! Show your dick!"

I don't know exactly how I would react if I was at a bar and I was surrounded by women who's attraction to me left them desperately wanting a glimpse of my penis for their visual gratification, but I'd like to find out.
posted by Jezztek at 11:15 AM on April 13, 2006

Too much Penisfilter lately.

This site should be balenced with boobies.
posted by Axandor at 11:15 AM on April 13, 2006

Jezztek, I think you just described every straight man's deepest fantasy.
posted by jonmc at 11:16 AM on April 13, 2006

Well, I agree the statement's disappointing.

But frankly I like to look at penises. Maybe it's not that women don't love to look but that we're not supposed to love to look, so there's that inhibition to get over.

And greg, not all breasts are perky. And chests and butts are just more visible on men than penises generally are.
posted by girandole at 11:19 AM on April 13, 2006

"Hopefully, this experience can provide a small glimpse of what women so frequently endure."

Oh shut up. The work doesn't succeed in doing that at all, and it sounds like she made all these boring penis sculptures then tacked on a really awfully written artist's statement after the fact. Yeah, it's about the patriarchy!
posted by beerbajay at 11:21 AM on April 13, 2006

And greg, not all breasts are perky.

Yes, but they're all wonderful...they inspire musical tributes.

maybe someone needs to write a symphony to my johnson...
posted by jonmc at 11:22 AM on April 13, 2006

And chests and butts are just more visible on men than penises generally are.

You haven't seen my 70's-era shorts.
posted by horsewithnoname at 11:23 AM on April 13, 2006

Jezztek - I have been in a situation where multiple women were shouting out "show us your cock" and I have to say that, weak as I am, I did indeed unleash the cock. In fact this event lead, as it very often does, to marriage.
posted by longbaugh at 11:27 AM on April 13, 2006

Every time I see something like this I'm reminded of the fact that flowers are nothing but the sexual organs of plants; and yet we think nothing of decorating our houses with them, cutting them off and displaying them until they die, making enlarged photographs of them or having children sniff them.
Funny, if you think about it...
posted by PontifexPrimus at 11:29 AM on April 13, 2006

Maybe it's not that women don't love to look but that we're not supposed to love to look, so there's that inhibition to get over.

Yeah, I'm totally open to that possibility. That's part of the reason I'd like to see male nudity become more common, so make it more socially acceptable to enjoy it.
posted by Jezztek at 11:30 AM on April 13, 2006

heh, I often think that too, PontifexPrimus, brazen little things with all their sex organs hanging out. I think Georgia O'Keefe noticed that too.
posted by madamjujujive at 11:33 AM on April 13, 2006

...last time I was at the bar, nobody was yellin at me, "Heeey! Show your dick! Show your dick!"

Yeah, that's more of a Saturday thing for me too.
posted by flashboy at 12:08 PM on April 13, 2006

maybe someone needs to write a symphony to my johnson...

Maude Lebowski: In a sense, yes. My art has been commended as being strongly vaginal which bothers some men. The word itself makes some men uncomfortable. Vagina.
The Dude: Oh yeah?
Maude Lebowski: Yes, they don't like hearing it and find it difficult to say whereas without batting an eye a man will refer to his dick or his rod or his Johnson.
The Dude: Johnson?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/quotes
posted by theorique at 12:11 PM on April 13, 2006

... and as long as we are on this artistic theme: Steeplechase by Cees Krijnen.
It's funny 'cause its true: leapfrog always makes my cumulus fluffy.

I haven't been for a couple of years, but I think of it fondly all the time.

You mean you remember it lightly and with affection?
posted by If I Had An Anus at 12:14 PM on April 13, 2006

Yeah, I'm totally open to that possibility. That's part of the reason I'd like to see male nudity become more common, so make it more socially acceptable to enjoy it.

As gay (male) culture becomes more mainstream, expect this (or at least erotization of the male form) to happen... at least a little bit.
posted by fugitivefromchaingang at 12:15 PM on April 13, 2006

The bar I worked at had a house rule: cute boys who dropped their pants got a free drink.

We abused this rule frequently.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:22 PM on April 13, 2006

This site should be balenced with boobies.

Seconded!
posted by Gamblor at 12:33 PM on April 13, 2006

Jezztek - I have been in a situation where multiple women were shouting out "show us your cock"

Sheffield has obviously got better since I was last there ;)
posted by hardcode at 12:34 PM on April 13, 2006

As gay (male) culture becomes more mainstream, expect this (or at least erotization of the male form) to happen... at least a little bit.

What makes you think it hasn't already?
posted by Gamblor at 12:37 PM on April 13, 2006

It's like looking at a dildo catalog. Do any of them vibrate?

/me wonders if she has revealed too much.
posted by Red58 at 12:39 PM on April 13, 2006

Gamblor writes "As gay (male) culture becomes more mainstream, expect this (or at least erotization of the male form) to happen... at least a little bit.
"
"What makes you think it hasn't already?"

Mmm. A&F catalogues are soft-core porn. Until some *&!^$&*^%*(@&$ right-wing Christian twats made them stop. Asshats!

Red58 writes "It's like looking at a dildo catalog. Do any of them vibrate?

"/me wonders if she has revealed too much."

This dildo... it vibrates?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:40 PM on April 13, 2006

The bar I worked at had a house rule: cute boys who dropped their pants got a free drink.

We abused this rule frequently.

Do you mean that you got guys to drop their pants, then said "sorry, the rule only applies to cute guys"?

That would be very, very wrong...
posted by flashboy at 12:46 PM on April 13, 2006

No, I mean we got lots of cute boys to drop their pants. :D
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:51 PM on April 13, 2006

MetaFilter: Everywhere you turn, a penis is staring at you.
posted by antifreez_ at 12:54 PM on April 13, 2006

Annie Sprinkle was annoying when she did this 20 years ago.
posted by bardic at 12:56 PM on April 13, 2006

She raises a worthwhile issue, if simple. Women's bodies do seem rather omnipresent

But they're not omnipresent in the form of breasts or vagina sculptures in funny costumes (thankfully?)

Selling ceramics is not the way to equal opportunity omnipresence! I hereby denounce her political hypocrisy!

(she could at least have chosen plasticine. You could remould the penis yourself that way. Sensational discovery in medicine etc.)
posted by funambulist at 1:38 PM on April 13, 2006

I'm amused that some of you are actually attempting to have an intelligent conversation about this.... :)

That's pretty cool, ya know...talking about penises (penii?, yeah, penii, i like that better!) all serious and stuff.....

All I've got to say is, after she spends the day molding those little guys, I bet that nobody at home is getting any.....
posted by HuronBob at 1:54 PM on April 13, 2006

heh..i looked again...

All I have to say is, I've picked my nose, I've picked at scabs, I've picked at hangnails, I've picked up girls, I've picked bad lottery numbers..

But when she said to "pick a dick", I had painful images and resisted...
posted by HuronBob at 1:58 PM on April 13, 2006

Because dicks are boring. Breasts on the other hand, being firm and pirky, are an omnipresent attraction. Besides, what women find attractive in men is either the chest or the butt.
posted by gregb1007

I love it when men pontificate about what women like. Sheesh.

Jezztek, I think you just described every straight man's deepest fantasy.

jon, you know perfectly well that this is 90% of what being a rockstar, in the classic sense, is all about. And believe me, those fangirls want to both see and get their hands on it if at all possible. That's one of the reasons why I don't buy the "men's sexuality if more visual than women's" thing. But that's another conversation....
posted by jokeefe at 3:19 PM on April 13, 2006

The above comment directed to jonmc was intended with a kind of fond, ruffling-hair attitude, by the way.
posted by jokeefe at 3:21 PM on April 13, 2006

(How come Jokeefe is, like, the only person on Metafilter that seems to consistently understand and articulate gender issues well? It's kinda a shame she didn't dig in on the Male Gaze thread... But seriously, how come? Was she just raised better?)
posted by klangklangston at 3:26 PM on April 13, 2006

First-class find, mjj. But fancying phallicism fresh is fallacious:

posted by rob511 at 3:36 PM on April 13, 2006

It should be noted that more often than not men are the ones shutting down the public exhibition of the male form. Not women.
posted by filchyboy at 3:41 PM on April 13, 2006

This site should be balenced with boobies.

Fred Gold agrees!

Topless e-mail for ‘Breast Appreciation Day’ draws bipartisan condemnation

The leaders of the Republican and Democratic committees in Warminster are calling for the resignation of GOP Supervisor Fred Gold, who sent an e-mail with a photo of a topless woman promoting Jan. 15 as 'Breast Appreciation Day.'

The e-mail that accompanied the photo asked, 'Beats ... Martin Luther King Day, doesn't it?'

posted by ericb at 4:05 PM on April 13, 2006

Those wacky Republians and their ironic deconstruction of Affirmative Action! What will they think of next?
posted by bardic at 4:14 PM on April 13, 2006

What can we say? MLK jr. loved the titties.
posted by klangklangston at 4:16 PM on April 13, 2006

what women find attractive in men is either the chest or the butt. - gregb1007

It's painfully apparent you haven't talked to a lot of different women about this.
posted by raedyn at 4:17 PM on April 13, 2006

I liked the little outfits. It's important to properly accessorize.
posted by bim at 4:20 PM on April 13, 2006

He wasn't the philanderer that JFK was, but yeah, he did.
posted by bardic at 4:20 PM on April 13, 2006

(How come Jokeefe is, like, the only person on Metafilter that seems to consistently understand and articulate gender issues well? It's kinda a shame she didn't dig in on the Male Gaze thread... But seriously, how come? Was she just raised better?)
posted by klangklangston at 3:26 PM PST on April 13

*picks up jaw from floor*

Goodness. Thanks. But honestly, I can think of a number of posters of the top of my head-- Miko, taz, scody, just to name a few-- who write thoughtful and insightful posts which make mine seem like dabbling....

I didn't dive into the Male Gaze thread because I was already having an irritating day at work, and I didn't want to blow a gasket onlinea, which I might have come close to doing... :D
posted by jokeefe at 4:22 PM on April 13, 2006

Yeah, but Scody, Miko and Taz are too smart to wade into most of the threads where they'd do the most good...
And yes, you would have. I had to walk away so that I didn't have to be the lone one left against the swarms of the "Girls are depicted like that because it sells. QED" jabberers.
posted by klangklangston at 4:33 PM on April 13, 2006

(Though Bardic does make me wonder if the Republicans should be the party of choice for anyone who wants to feel truly ironic about the rhetoric they put forward...)
posted by klangklangston at 4:34 PM on April 13, 2006

Hmm. This was a much more interesting thread than I expected... Also, I am more strongly considering a future career change to 'rockstar'.

Ahem.
posted by blacklite at 6:09 PM on April 13, 2006

jokeefe: And believe me, those fangirls want to both see and get their hands on it if at all possible.

Cue up Cynthia Plaster Caster - she keeps threatening to do a PudCrawl tour featuring famous rock cocks. Cynthia definitely believed in getting hands-on with her art - 1, 2 and samples of her work, with Hendrix front and center.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:28 PM on April 13, 2006

I looked through the first few dozen dicks. I agree about the arttist statement, why be mad? it's cock for god's sake, be happy.

You know what I would like to see? Some sort of representation of where all the junk goes when guys are sitting, standing, legs crossed, whatever. I can look at naked guys all I want, at home or on the inTARweb, and at these weird ceramic cocks (thanks for the title, madamejjj) but what I really want to know is where does the baseball player tuck his junk when he's making a pitch? If I had a grant, I'd be spending it giving these guys see-through pants so I could answer this nagging question.
posted by jessamyn at 6:57 PM on April 13, 2006

I think your answer is somewhere in here, jessamyn... just keep looking...

Guys, guys, let's just grant that culture is sexist and that our sexual iconography is out of balance as a result. Ladies, there it is, you have a gallery of 200 ceramic penises. Now we're even.
posted by nanojath at 7:11 PM on April 13, 2006

Heeey... dirtynumbangelboy - your bar's policy was to provide free alcohol to guys who unleashed the wang. Ok. Funny. But I have to ask - how do you feel about my buddies in fraternity village trading shots for coeds flashing their breasts? Same thing?
At least in fraternity village, they give the free shots to the ugly chicks, as well as the "cute" ones.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 7:25 PM on April 13, 2006

It should be noted that more often than not men are the ones shutting down the public exhibition of the male form. Not women.

Na, that's not true. How about: it should be noted that more often than not it's deeply concerned straight men shutting down the public exhibition of the male form cos they're afraid of the irresistible corrupting allure of the gay.

Or something like that. But really, doesn't even a kiss between males in movies get a different rating than a kiss between females? I thought I read that somewhere.
posted by funambulist at 2:21 AM on April 14, 2006

The above comment directed to jonmc was intended with a kind of fond, ruffling-hair attitude, by the way.

*looks up with winsome puppy-dog eyes*

(and no joke, jokeefe is great at talking about these issues without being needlessly antagonistic or obfuscatory. In my mind she's a combination of Patti Smith and Emmylou Harris. in a Wonder Woman costume.)
posted by jonmc at 7:05 AM on April 14, 2006

In my mind she's a combination of Patti Smith and Emmylou Harris. in a Wonder Woman costume

Dag. Now, if only Mefi had animated avatars and stuff, I could use that as my sig file. *blows kiss to jonmc*
posted by jokeefe at 12:45 PM on April 14, 2006

Sue Long is no Louise Bourgeois ... (NSFW)

posted by Surfurrus at 3:01 PM on April 14, 2006

"WARNING: HORSE COCK" April 13, 2006 10:27 AM Subscribe

"WARNING: HORSE COCK"
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