Wooden penis wave in the Allgäu: art or tastelessness?

Wooden penis wave in the Allgäu: art or tastelessness?

In recent weeks, the Allgäu has experienced a curious increase in wooden phallus sculptures that have appeared in various places in the region. The first of these eye-catching wooden penises was placed in the roundabout in the Bertoldshofen district of Marktoberdorf in mid-May. From there, the passion for these works of art has spread rapidly: oversized wooden penises now decorate squares in front of the town hall, a radio station and other public places, explains Mercury.

But that's not all: the “wooden penis wave” has also hit Oberstdorf and Sonthofen. A slim wooden sculpture with a red acorn was recently erected at the Geiger roundabout in Oberstdorf, welcoming both locals and holidaymakers. In Sonthofen, however, another eye-catching wooden penis was spotted at the Allgäu roundabout. Witnesses reported the quick installation, but it remains unclear how long these sculptures will remain or whether they will even “wander,” as was the case with a two-meter-high wooden penis in Oberstaufen that attracted media attention, such as this weekly paper reported.

The art event in the Allgäu

The origins of this campaign are not only in the current trend, but also have an interesting tradition. The first wooden penis was erected years ago on the Grünten in the Allgäu Alps. It is still unclear whether the new sculptures are a conscious continuation or just imitations. However, opinions about this art campaign are divided: some find the sculptures tasteless, others see them as a humorous provocation.

The authors of these works of art are often unknown, which fuels speculation. In Ruderatshofen, a vulva carved out of wood was recently discovered in the roundabout, which is now waiting to be picked up at the lost property office. Such works of art in public spaces often spark discussions and raise questions about art in everyday life, which has become increasingly present since the 1960s. Whether street art, graffiti or temporary installations – the variety is great. A detour to Wikipedia shows that art in public spaces is an important part of urban identity.

Another chapter: The Gennacher Group

The situation becomes particularly explosive when it comes to a group of eight men from Gennach who were caught by the police while they were trying to set up a wooden penis in front of the Antenne Bayern radio station. With five patrols and ten emergency services, the group was stopped and asked to lie on the ground. Antenne Bayern later auctioned off the wooden penis for a good cause to a fertility clinic in Hauzenberg. These actions also convey a kind of community and cohesion, while the origin of many wooden sculptures remains mysterious.

So the question remains: Will we see more of these unusual works of art in the Allgäu? One thing is certain: the discussion about art in public spaces has been reignited with these wooden sculptures, and until the last of them disappear, the Allgäu will remain an interesting place for such provocative installations.