BLANDING, UT — Some religious figures are more equal than others – and any deity that has the balls to show its genitals is nearly guaranteed to be considered worthy of public censure. Such has certainly proven to be the case for famous humpbacked flautist Kokopelli. Unfortunately for the beloved Southwestern Native American fertility deity and healer, not everyone appreciates authentic reproductions of sacred art. In his case, not only is the musical trickster traditionally depicted with his flute and feather-like headdress, but also with an erection.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the latter accoutrement has earned the Hopi figure a new home, much deeper inside Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.
As is so often the case, a Christian morality group inspired the museum’s decision after insisting that exhibition of the sculpture was inappropriate. Although the park manager, Teri Paul, initially planned to entirely remove the piece from exhibit because its penis had inspired complaints from Values Committee, accusations of censorship from supportive citizens compelled her to merely make it more difficult to find.
“This group has let it be known that they are offended by it and would like it removed,” State Parks director Mary Tullius told the Tribune, explaining that Values Committee had been “complaining that it has male anatomy, so it is too phallic for some of the locals. Our intention is to be good partners in the community and we fell like this is a reasonable compromise.”
The sculpture, created by artist Joe Pachak, has graced the entrance to the museum since 1989. Paul reports that Pachak has agreed to move the piece and replace it another, in order to avoid drawing any more “negativity to the museum.”
One local who defended the statue to the press opined that “If they are going to be bullied, they should at least announce it so other people can step up. If a handful of ladies can pressure a state park into changing their displays without anybody having input, that should be outrageous to everybody… These old ladies have never been to Florence or Rome or any actual art museum. They would be scandalized.”
Kokopelli and his penis are not the only art exhibits that have earned the museum grief. Paul informed the Tribune that a female Values Committee member was offended by datura plants located in front of the museum, insisting that their presence encouraged the use of hallucinogenic substances. The museum insists that it has no plans on removing the indigenous plants.
