Phallus does the penis really make the man?
The penis is everywhere. Where people are, the shape appears: in ancient petroglyphs, in drawings on toilet doors, or as dick pics on social media. The male genital area is also extensively covered in scientific research. While the female genitalia often have to make do with a modest supporting role. Rightly? Or are social norms (un) consciously creeping into the research?
The male member is at the center of the exhibition “PHALLUS”. Norm & Vorm'”, which will be on display at the University Museum from Friday.
The exhibitions, developed by the GUM (Ghent University Museum), take visitors through the ideas about gender, gender, science and norms. The exhibition was shown in Ghent last year.
The University Museum has adopted both the concept and objects of the GUM, such as works by Sofie Muller, Murielle Scherre, David Hockney and Man Ray. The male member, or penis, is everywhere. Where people are, the shape appears: in ancient petroglyphs, in drawings on toilet doors, or as dick pics on social media. The male genital area is also extensively covered in scientific research. The exhibition is the result of two years of intensive research by the GUM into how science studies gender and the role of society. For example, who decides what is normal — a normal penis, a normal man, and normal sexuality? Why do we often think that big is also better? Can you measure pleasure on the penis via research? Visitors can also participate in various activities in a public program, put together by experts from the RUG, the UMCG, Rutgers, COC Groningen and Drenthe, and experienced experts.
