Artist Reveals Meaning Behind Marble Penis in Piazza San Marco

On May 18, 2020, a 200kg marble penis appeared in Venice's Piazza San Marco, its tip covered by a mask and bearing the hashtag #ciapaipaebae. The sculpture was quickly removed by police and dismissed as a vulgar prank. Over a month later, the young artist came forward to explain his intentions. He claims the work was a metaphor for human vitality during forced isolation, inspired by classical priapic cults for protection and good luck. The scrotum features fingerprint grooves symbolizing attachment to identity. Additional details include inscriptions like "svodai" (emptied) and "prostituzione" referencing Venice's suffering from mass tourism and abandonment. The artist hoped the piece would be seen as a donation to revive Venice's cultural scene, especially with the Biennale canceled. He expressed disappointment that it was obscured and removed within minutes. The artist, who lived in Venice, evaded lockdown controls by using tourist tickets and escaping by taxi. He later turned himself in to retrieve the sculpture, which is held for 12 months before auction. He revealed that purchase requests have already been made. The work was carved in his studio from Italian marble, intended as a heartfelt contribution to Venice's recovery.