Dunedin 'penis' art causes controversy

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Tue, 13 Sep 2011 5:52p.m.

Inside the phallic form, rugby heads can enjoy 3D videos of different haka

Inside the phallic form, rugby heads can enjoy 3D videos of different haka

By Anna Burns-Francis

A new artwork commissioned by the Dunedin City Council is causing an uproar.

The 'Haka Peep Show' has been installed in the centre of town for the Rugby World Cup, but while the tournament is family friendly, some argue the artwork is far from it.

“Why are we spending $50,000 on an embarrassing penis? A 5m-high penis, in the Octagon,” says councillor Lee Vandervis.

Mr Vandervis says the installation by Ngai Tahu artist Rachael Rakena is a waste of money, and he's quit the council committee that chipped in to partly fund it.

“It's got dubious art credentials, as I see it, but that's not really the point. The point is, why are we doing this,” he says.

Inside the phallic form, rugby heads can enjoy 3D videos of different haka, but casual observers get a more basic message.

It seems most people had just one thing on their mind, confirming the object’s resemblance to a penis, and if you think they're reading too much into it, think again.

“It's been interesting dealing with that shape. I thought about it long and hard before deciding to go ahead with proposing it, because I knew it would be difficult for some people,” says Mrs Rakena.

But the work also symbolises a deodorant can and the All Blacks are sponsored by Rexona.

“I know that might not be comfortable for some people, but… the deodorant bottle really looks like that,” she says.

It's already drawing curious crowds in Dunedin, and with loan requests across the country, could be coming to a town near you.

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Comments

26 Sep 2011 07:18a.m.

jan.. wrote:

It's art and peni's statues are everwhere in the world from the historic days.. People might have the wrong ideas and maybe they don't like advitising such privacy in plublic, but what about those nude soccer players running around naked with their penis hanging everwhere playing football's in a park allowing childrens to watch their naked penis, what do you call that?.. The world don't want to watch their naked penis playing footballs but a statue is different, they don't move around or play football naked, get real Vandervis, you should know the historic peni's stature are scattered around the world in parks or front of parliament buildings or shopping complexs and what Vandervis is doing about the naked football players?..

15 Sep 2011 08:56p.m.

Art Tank wrote:

Would this councillor know what an 'art crudential' is? From his uninformed comments it would appear not. Lets face it art is the subject of personal taste and there is no one artwork that satisfies everyone. Why has all the focus so far been on the shape of the exterior? Has anyone viewed the inside - four beautiful 3-D films are showing inside the deodorant can? High production values and slick performances of different haka. A correction to this story - the Dunedin City Council was not the main backer for this project. . . . Ngai Tahu was. Film is an expensive medium to work in. This money has been spent in Dunedin, generating jobs for local companies. Can we complain about people being employed? This budget is miniscule compared to that spent on art in other major centres. This work showcases Maori culture to tourists and locals in a meaningful way that makes us consider how Maori culture has been manipulated and commodified for use in both sports and advertising. This work ticks lots of boxes for me - I think its brilliant!

15 Sep 2011 07:15p.m.

atrout wrote:

Maybe it is Vandervis who is being the dick here. If your Council has an art budget and the committee decides how to spend it then maybe you'd better review the selection process for committee membership in that case. Right now the joke is on you.

15 Sep 2011 01:55p.m.

rachael k wrote:

50 grand for that ?? OMG whats it made of .. GOLD?? i cant honestly see how that small thing (pardon the pun) costs 50 g would have been cheaper to buy a empty store and do it up with couches a bar / cafe and memerobilia inside and play some rugby stuff ....

15 Sep 2011 09:54a.m.

Tito Rigatoni wrote:

LOL she thought "long and hard" about it. Subtle pun girl is subtle.

14 Sep 2011 08:39a.m.

Matiu wrote:

Rugby 'family friendly'? With the significant national increase in domestic violence during the season I highly doubt that! Also, the amount we spend on art nationally is but a drop in the ocean compared to how much we spend on sports. I enjoy a bit of rugby as much as the next Kiwi, but get a clue, and get over it!