The Louvre has decided to remove an outdoor sculpture by the artist collective Atelier Van Lieshout for reportedly being too sexually explicit. The 2015 piece in question, titled “Domestikator,” depicts *clears throat* a couple of buildings having sex.
Atelier Van Lieshout are known for their eclectic outdoor sculptures and architecture. The collective’s founder Joep van Lieshout told the New York Times, “This is something that should not happen. A museum should be an open place for communication. The task of the museum and the press is to explain the work.” The work was to go on view October 19 before it was withdrawn.
The museum was also concerned, according to the newspaper, that the 40-foot sculpture would be displayed near a children’s playground. The London gallery Carpenters Workshop, which represents the collective, said in a statement that “the artwork symbolizes the power of humanity over the world and its hypocritical approach to nature.” Okay, sure.
This is ultimately an interesting line for the Louvre considering it already houses several sexy works in its own collection. But I guess when it comes to buildings boning, that’s just too much to handle!