Thursday 30 August 2007

Pissing Man 12,5%

Across the street from where I work lurks a man I haven't seen for almost 15 years. He stands there quietly visible and yet not seen. His silhouet greets me every day. He has been patiently standing there day in day out, through rain, snow and sunshine. All he does is just stand there. I know not who he is. I only know he is known as Pissing Man. And for one brief moment two months ago he revealed himself to me. Today I saw him again as I have never seen him before.





When this work by Marc Quinn of a statue of a naked man, sporting an erection that pissed blood, was originally placed in the centre of Arnhem nearly 15 years ago as part of the Sonsbeek '93 Art Exhibition it caused quite a stir. Mind you the original setting across the street from the post office at the St. Jan's Square in front of Dutch Reformed Church might not have been the best place for a work of art like this.
Mark Quinn's work caused quite a number of complaints and was even vandalized. After the festival it was given a new home at the Museum of Modern Art in Arnhem. I can't remember if it was still in working order as it has been a long time since I've seen the Pissing Man reveal himself. Today, just by chance, I happened to be at work and noticed there was some work being done to it. A perfect opportunity to take a pic, I hope I can get a few more tomorrow.