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Of, or by?

A 33-metre reinforced concrete vagina has sparked a Bolsonarian backlash in Brazil, with supporters of the country’s far-right president clashing with leftwing art admirers over the installation.

The handmade sculpture, entitled Diva, was unveiled by visual artist Juliana Notari on Saturday at a rural art park on the grounds of a former sugar mill in Pernambuco, one of Brazil’s most culturally vibrant states.

In a Facebook post, Notari said the scarlet hillside vulva was intended to “question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric western society” and provoke debate over the “problematisation of gender”.

“Nowadays these issues have become increasingly urgent,” the artist added in what appeared partly to be a reference to the increasingly intolerant climate in Jair Bolsonaro’s Brazil.

Yes, OK, we know it’s a huge one but the question is, is it of or by?

22 thoughts on “Of, or by?”

  1. 2020s – “Question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric western society.”

    1980s – “Like chucking a bag of chips down Piccadilly Circus.”

  2. In the spirit in which it was created blow it up by inserting a giant phallus made of high explosive. With a central tube channelling a flame thrower . A blast of fire followed by an almighty finish (probably need to be electrically detonated).

    Interactive Art indeed.

  3. “In a Facebook post, Notari said the scarlet hillside vulva was intended to “question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric western society” and provoke debate over the “problematisation of gender”.”

    Yes, I’m sure the people criticising it are the FAR RIGHT crazy ones.

  4. I say! I simply dropped my monocle in surprise! A feminist artist making a physical representation of a ladies’ vagina?!? This has never happened before and it has shaken me to my very core!

  5. It isn’t very good is it? If they hadn’t told me I’m not sure that I would have known what it was meant to be.

  6. anthropocentric western society

    I’m not sure what a non-anthropocentric human society would look like. I suggest the best way to join it is to open a vein for Gaia.

  7. So Much For Subtlety

    I can’t say that I am much concerned. Children usually grow out of the need to draw their genitalia on the walls. Not all of them of course.

    Mind you, I am quite fond of the Cerne Giant. Different genitalia though.

    37% White people, 67% non-White = ‘vibrant’, and ‘vibrant’ = violent.

    Indeed. Brazil’s death toll from crime is about 60,000 a year. Or more than America lost in Vietnam. Black people are just very violent.

  8. Make your mind up. Is it a vagina or a vulva? Vaginas are normally invisible outside surgical theatres, I expect it’s a vulva.

  9. So Much For Subtlety

    Flubber January 5, 2021 at 6:16 am – “Despite having a 4 foot clitoris, I still couldn’t find it with a map and a torch.”

    +10

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