Iowa Artist Gets Offensive with Male Anatomy Exhibit

COMMENTARY | The University of Iowa is warning the public about a penis art exhibit at its gallery. The exhibit is on display until Sunday at the university Arts Studio Building. The artist, Emily Moran Barwick, said she is concerned about body parts being used as commodity items. She named her collection "The John Holmes Prick Parade," reports The Des Moines Register.

Tom Moore, university spokesman, assured the public that the exhibit passes the guidelines of what is tasteful and appropriate. The exhibition features life-size plaster castings of porn star John Holmes' penis. Barwick asked for volunteers over the Internet to "decorate" the penis castings and mail them back to her.

To get an idea of what Barwick wanted, a picture of one of the decorated penis casts can be seen here. With pins, scissors and scalpels sticking in it, some viewers may feel squeamish. The word "art" could easily be replaced with sensationalism. Instead of serious art, it may be viewed as a play for 15 minutes of fame, in which case any meaningful statement could be lost.

While some Iowans may consider the penis exhibit suitable, others are downright upset. Commenter Ronald D. Fadness on the Des Moines Register website questions how the exhibit is art since Barwick used outsiders to decorate the penis castings. Bob333 commented in the Iowa City Press Citizen that he wondered how this publicity would affect support for the University of Iowa.

Barwick's subject, John Holmes, a pornographic star who died from AIDS when he was 43, was also a suspect in four murders. He also chose NOT to tell his porn costars that he was infected with AIDS and continued to make movies with them unprotected.

If a man chose to do the same exhibit using women's breasts or vaginas, would the university allow it? The penis display on Barwick's blog is cruel and means to shock. It is degrading to men and distasteful to many of both sexes. Is the University of Iowa the appropriate place for this art?

If Barwick is disturbed about body parts being used as commodities, is she guilty of doing just that? Barwick said she has received plenty of negative feedback on her exhibit. She also wants people to understand that she did not want to upset anyone with the display.

Des Moines Register
Emily Barwick's Blog