$150,000 art project in New Zealand looks phallic—and locals are freaking out

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A new public art project in Aukland, New Zealand is upsetting locals for its resemblance to a penis. 

First picked up by the New Zealand Herald, the artwork was installed 27 feet above the ground by the New Lynn train station is a four-part installation of aluminum mesh sculptures that’s called “Transit Cloud.”

It was created by sculptor Gregor Kregar, artist Sarah Hughes, and architect Davor Popdich, and is meant to be a nod to the city's local history as a portage hub. It cost NZ$200,000, or over $150,000 to build and install.

But after seeing the hanging sculpture, Aukland residents are upset. “What the hell is that? It’s certainly not a cloud. It looks like a penis,” Auckland resident Joy Dale told the New Zealand Herald.  

Another passerby said to the New Zealand Herald, “Don’t you think it’s rude? It’s definitely [a penis]. What else could it be.”

People on Instagram also noticed the sculpture’s resemblance to male genitalia.

What a dick of an artist. People of New Lynn, Auckland have been blessed with this 'cloud' sculpture. #itsalaugh #art #lookslikeapenistome 😂

A photo posted by Charlotte (@emsoncharlottexo) on Feb 6, 2015 at 11:27pm PST

Umm that don't look like no cloud lol #lookslikeagianture #200Kart #newlynn #auckland

A photo posted by @sianruka on Feb 5, 2015 at 10:31pm PST

The so called "clouds" sculpture which was installed at New Lynn. When I was there, I saw a lot of people was laughing at it. Half of the people took a photo! #art #notart #sculpture #newlynn #auckland

A photo posted by Ian (@ianray58) on Feb 8, 2015 at 10:48pm PST

Here's how it looks from other angles and with the three other sculptures. 

Congratulations clever husband, Sara Hughes and Gregor Kregar! 'TransitCloud' has been unveiled! #nzart #incontext #sculpture #gregorkregar #sarahughes #davorpopadich #newlynn

A photo posted by Abbe Popadich (@abbepop) on Feb 5, 2015 at 5:34pm PST

Went to see the Transit Cloud sculpture at New Lynn on my way home. While the one the media has covered is indeed pretty phallic, the rest of them are actually really cool, and make the Merchant Quarter Lane look great (much like the Train Station in the back of this shot). Plus there were heaps of people there looking and debating them. Pretty sure that means it's successful art! #transitcloud #clouds #art #sculpture #lane #laneway #trainstation #merchantquarter #urbanism #architecture #newlynn #auckland #eyeonauckland #newzealand

A photo posted by Luke Elliott (@usernamesaretough) on Feb 9, 2015 at 8:43pm PST

Charger told the New Zealand Herland that the sculptures will be connected to over 160 feet of neon lights and will be illuminated at night.

“Art is out there to stir reaction,” Kregar told the New Zealand Herald. He also said that people would like the art much better once it was officially complete.

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