The Schlong Goodbye Is "The Penis Guy" too much for Artomatic?
Balls Out: Rodriguez says Artomatic gave him the shaft.
(Darrow Montgomery)
Recent Show & Tell
- Closing Time
Posted: September 10, 2008 - Pitter Pander
Posted: September 3, 2008 - The Martial Plan
Posted: August 27, 2008 - Work Is Hell
Posted: August 20, 2008
Since 2000, Eduardo Rodriguez has been known as Artomatic’s “Penis Guy.”
“People say, ‘Eduardo, your penis pictures are the most popular in the show. Where are the penis pictures?’ They all want to see them,” explains Rodriguez, an Adams Morgan photographer. “People will come up to me and say, ‘Oh my God, you’re the guy who does the penis pictures.’”
There are no penis pictures at this year’s Artomatic. Instead, Rodriguez’s reserved plywood partition is blank, save for a couple of swirls of red paint and some discarded tape—the remains of Penis Guy’s hasty retreat.
Why did Penis Guy take down his penis pictures? The controversy originated in the spot adjacent to Rodriguez’s now-abandoned space (at NW B1 on the 9th floor) where Moore Photography, a mother-daughter team, exhibit their work. Photos of flowers, butterflies, and fireworks are carefully matted and labeled with titles like “Reflections,” “Delectable,” and “Simply Elegant.” Rodriguez’s Cocksure Series was a bit different: neck-down nudes, mostly male, with message-inscribed torsos—easy to swallow reads one. Another:
The visual irony of a 15-year-old’s flora mounted alongside Rodriguez’s phallic extravaganza wasn’t part of Artomatic’s vision and juxtaposition sets up a vintage Artomatic drama. This one plays out in the following sequence:
• On Wednesday, May 7, the last day of Artomatic’s two-week installation period, Rodriguez enters the Artomatic building at 1200 First St. NE and begins hanging his Cocksure Series.
• The next day, Rodriguez reenters the building, officially closed to artists, to apply some finishing touches.
• In the meantime, another artist notices Rodriguez’s last-minute installation and notifies Moore Photography of the content. The Moore family, unimpressed by Penis Guy’s pedigree, complains to Artomatic without having seen Rodriguez’s work.
• Artomatic officials confront Rodriguez at his space. On the night before Artomatic’s opening, two hours before the building’s close, Rodriguez is asked to remount his penis pictures in another spot, away from a minor.
“I’m still reeling from it,” says Rodriguez. “I’m still sort of surprised that it happened.” According to Rodriguez, though Artomatic organizers offered him the chance to move, they didn’t give him sufficient time to reinstall his pieces. So Rodriguez, who has exhibited photos from the Cocksure Series at every Artomatic since 2000 (save for last year’s at the Crystal City location—more on that later), removed the installation and begrudgingly asked for a refund. “I was told that the girl had invited all her friends,” says Rodriguez. “I was like, I invited all of my friends, too.”
Now Rodriguez is claiming that Artomatic censored his work. “For some reason, the penis will just incite people to call me a pervert,” says Rodriguez. “Two years ago, there was a series of a woman being fisted, and everybody was fine with that,” he says. “But show some erect penises, and it really offends people.” When Rodriguez’s acquaintance Tammy Vitale heard about the incident, she initiated a discussion on an artdc.org message board, which houses Artomatic’s official online community: “A photographer friend who participated in the children’s museum Artomatic has apparently been censored,” she wrote. “The parents of his space mate objected to his photographs and although he eventually got his money back he is left with less than a good feeling about this.”
Artomatic organizers counter that they have no problem with Rodriguez’s penises; they do, however, have a problem with Rodriguez. Penis Guy is apparently a bit of an Artomatic renegade. Following Vitale’s post, the thread lit up with allegations concerning Rodriguez—well, most of them were about “Penis Guy,” “Cock Photo Guy” (or “CPG”), and “asshole.” Claims of Rodriguez’s past indiscretions include installing his penis pictures at last year’s Crysal City show without registering or paying (Rodriguez says he used a friend’s free space; the photos were removed before the opening); sneaking into the building “illegally” after hours to work on this year’s exhibit; waiting until the last minute to “sneak” his work into the show; hanging his photos haphazardly with masking tape and crudely spray-painting the word
![]("http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/showandtell/2008/0516/st_you_suck.jpg")
![]("http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/showandtell/2008/0516/st_sucker.jpg")
![]("http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/showandtell/2008/0516/st_give_a_fuck.jpg")
Offensive art, unprofessional techniques, and willful neglect of rules: Are these not the things that Artomatic is made of? Not anymore, it seems. This year’s Artomatic, the first staged in a brand-new building, is slick, sponsored, and highly organized. “It kind of freaks me out that it looks so fancy this year, especially compared to the last two events,” says Rebecca Gordon, co-chair of the steering committee. “I mean, look at us right now: We’re sitting in a lounge on lit-up couches plastered with the Toyota Scion logo.” In the Scion lounge, Gordon explains that Rodriguez’s past rule-bending and excessive procrastination left Artomatic with no choice but to ask him to move his work to accommodate the minor. Rodriguez’s withdrawal from the show was “unfortunate,” she says. “I’m sad that he’s not showing this year, but the rules are so simple,” says Gordon, who says that Rodriguez is not banned from future shows. “He understands the issues.”
Rodriguez chalks up the indiscretions to personality quirks. “I’m the most nonconfrontational person you’ll ever meet,” he says. “I always procrastinate and do it all at the last minute. That’s just how it works.…They knew in advance that this was the type of work that I did, but now they’re saying that I was trying to sneak it in. But there are no rules that say you have to put it up a certain time.”
Actually, as Artomatic steering committee co-chair Tracy Lee will tell you, there are. When Artomatic received the complaint, Lee, Michelle Banks, and Paul Sikora were on hand to deal with the situation. On Thursday night, she headed to Rodriguez’s space to find him applying last-minute details to the photos when the building was officially closed to artists. “When we went up to the wall, the artist in question was there on site, which he was not allowed to be doing. He should not have been there,” says Lee. “We only have, like, three rules at Artomatic, and I think he’s broken them all.”
Even minus the penises, Artomatic still houses some stuff that the Moores mightn’t enjoy. A light bondage scene, a pencil drawing of a mystical faerie smoking from a glass piece, and a plaster bodycast of male genitalia mounted to the wall speak to the “adult” art crowd. The same can’t always be said for the artists behind the work. “I feel like I’m in high school again,” says Rodriguez. “Some of those people just need to grow up.”
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May. 16 - 22, 2008 (Vol. 28, #20)
Comments
7:22 am
This is garbage. This guy is trash. This is not art. You sick pervert. Art is for fag bags.
11:52 am
All this guy wants, clearly, is free publicity. I think he broke/breaks the rules just to get attention, which clearly you have just given to him. I actually like his art, but the guy -- not so much.
10:56 am
The real lesson here is something it took me 40 years to learn: when you try to do something at the last minute the tiniest problem can ruin everything.
Hey Eduardo - here's a trick I've seen other artists use. Next time during site selection tape up a sample of your art or a note that says "penis art" or something. This way artists that don't want to be near your work will pick a different wall and you'll end up with neighbors that either like your art or just don't care what you do.
Oh yeah, and start a bit earlier.
11:46 am
The photos are nowhere near as offensive as the accomanying text.
The "artist" is obviously one of limited vision or expression.
He should be run out of based on his lack of talent versus anything tantamount to being offensive.
What is more boring than a pedantic provocateur?
-TT
1:18 pm
Female nudity is commonplace in photography and I’m surprised in 2008 in Washington, DC, we're still getting our panties in a bunch over male genitalia. C'mon, DC, grow a pair!
3:02 pm
There is plenty of penis to see at Artomatic. His work is neither fresh or shocking. Mr. Rodriguez has been dusting off those same old photos at all of DC's open call shows for years. His craftsmanship and presentation are the most offensive aspects of his work.
10:44 pm
The only thing offensive about Rodriguez is his lack of talent. Eddie, go hawk yr lame dick pix somewhere else! Let the real artists (who may happen to photo nudes that include peniss) display thier work. I've seen Eddie and his sheepish grin at other art fares and it seems like he gets off on trying to shock the squares -- how boring. Eddie some advice: piercing is passe, the truly hip amputate so if you want to shock go sever off yr junk and nail it to a cross so we can all have a good laugh at your expense.
1:28 pm
If the little girl and her family don't like it THEY should have been the ones to move. Ridiculous.
1:38 pm
Only in a watered down overly politicized art culture such as DC's would anyone care or be offended by these penis pics...big deal!
6:27 pm
the time scheduled for installing art was from Wednesday, April 16 through Wednesday, May 7, 2008
that was plenty of time for over 1,000 artists
I think people who suggest Eduardo's neighbors should have moved simply don't understand what happened. His neighbors set up their art on time. Eduardo didn't.
4:38 am
Geez Louise, look at these comments already -- it's amazing the ire and bloodrush this whole little thing causes. I guess it's love-hate, because I know that the Artist has genuine popularity. I'm in the middle -- as a straight philistine I don't see the huge deal here. The photos are unique and the guy is obviously trying to express a message, even if it's lost in translation to some. Let them hang, I say, IF he can get in on time next year. I consider it Art. And I consider freedom of expression not insignificant, america. I mean, if we all simply shrug off this article's first Comment -- "Art is for fag bags".....I mean, that's a lot of hate, which gets itself vented with no apparent fallout--so I believe we need to check our hearts and not be hypocrites.
7:55 am
Freedom of expression also extends to those who write on this comment string, Einstein. -TT
12:53 pm
The real issue here is why the heck the City Paper thinks this is newsworthy. I assume the writer's editor was pressuring her to manufacture some dirt, as often happens at the CP.
4:52 pm
Let's see how committed Mr. Rodriguez is to his "art".
Come on in and see me, I'll tattoo any of your penis images, or text on you with my compliments.
A large penis on your neck would make a classy statement don't you think?
8:11 am
Is this a debate over the rules or the art? Clearly, Eduardo should have set up earlier. He admits to procrastination, so let's not harp on that. However, if Artomatic has the time to solicit sponsorship from corporate entities, it should have time to organize in advance the placement of art that might be deemed inappropriate. While the juxtaposition of butterflies to cock art tickles my funny bone, I accept that everyone might not agree. So, how about some forethought here?
To attack the artist or the art is ridiculous. Whether or not you like it, it IS art and he has every right to display it. The organizers of Artomatic agree with that point as well. Eduardo simply wanted to display his work, he didn't ask for this drama and is disappointed not to be showing. I consider it a loss for all involved.
8:35 am
"Whether or not you like it, it IS art and he has every right to display it."
Nice try... Relaxing the definition of art to encompass every screwball walking the planet with a camera and a desire to assualt the senses hardly turns shite like this into "art."
3:50 pm
Why is it news worthy? Because there's a conflict in the art world, and there are 800 artists from artomatic who care about the subject, and an estimated 50,000 visitors or more who may want to know. Throw in a few more who just love controversy and your ready to go. As many have said before, artomatic is about unfettered creativity, it's a shame this wasn't handled better.
I do like the idea of folks posting a content warning during site selection..
5:10 am
This is what happens when art, and all it takes to make it, meets up with institutions and all it takes to organize it. It appears Artomatic is suffering growing pains, and isn't able to accomodate the human element of artists. When art fairs are at their best, they are fully staffed in order to accomodate the difficulties that arise from artists that have trouble hanging their exhibitions on time. (Lighting angles, electrical outlets, partitions that aren't strong enough to support work, etc. are all the variables that make it impossible to estimate the time needed to hang a show.) Once a show is hung, the artist takes a step backwards and looks at it objectively. Sometimes something is needed to fill a percieved need. The spraypaint seems to have been necessary for those aims. The taping, and spray paint all inform the transgressive nature of the exhibition and I think are integral to it. Not every artwork should be hung on a dainty brad. Its also commonly known among artists that artfairs are renowned for promising facilities that they cant deliver. Obviously, the 'organizers' weren't organized enough to avoid the 'propinquity problem'.
12:19 pm
I appreciate the lighthearted images, my right to comment upon them, and the photographer's right to display them.
8:43 pm
I appreciate everyone's rights -- including the rights of people running a private art show who have to make difficult decisions at the last minute before the show opens
3:38 am
I thought one purpose of art was the freedom of expression! The accusation of Mr. Rodriguez sneaking his work in does not hold water, as he has participated in Artomatic for years with similar themed art. Since there are sufficient works of art of a controversial nature at Artomatic the mother/daughter should have requested not to be near any adult themes and/or THEY should have moved. What if a display had rap music using the "f" word or "ho"? Wouldn't that be offensive as well? As long as Mr. Rodriguez's art fit the criteria of the show (and his presence in previous years attests to that) he should have been allowed to remain in his chosen spot. And yes, I did use my "freedom of expression" for the name attached to this comment.
10:28 am
As Peter points out, Eduardo "...has participated in Artomatic for years with similar themed art." Therefore any idea that Artomatic was trying to inhibit freedom of expression doesn't hold water. Eduardo's neighbors had installed their work much earlier ( as traces of white primer on their display from the painting of primer on Eduardo's wall clearly demonstrate). So I think it's a bit silly to say the guy who showed up late shouldn't be the one to move.
Anyway, there are many times when artists have to consider their neighbors -- and it usually has nothing to do with the content of their art. One artist might need a dark spot & the other wants lots of illumination...or issues with sound...etc etc This is one reason why artists put email addresses and phone numbers in their space when they select it...so people can communicate to help the show work.
If Eduardo had been hanging nice pictures of sunsets, but had done the same thing (starting just before the deadline, then trying to finish against the rules when installation was very clearly no longer allowed ) the outcome might have been better.....but..
the true lesson here isn't that Artomatic doesn't let people show their work..it's that if you have several WEEKS to install your art it's a bit silly to: (1) show up at the last second & not finish your installation (which for him was very very easy ) (2) show up on clean-up day when artists aren't allowed to install anymore (3) then whine about it.
Look around at all the other erotic/sexual/kinky art in the show...there's plenty...and all those people are in the show because they followed the rules...not because of anything related to their content
Eduardo did this to himself
2:45 pm
The long vigils of the night.
Near an alley,
and where magical
violins look like
a melody of
an ancient good
sense, you hear
the first light
of a springtime and
always, in all its
meanings, the luminous
wisdom forgets a
white candle.
Francesco Sinibaldi
3:03 am
Thank you City Paper for having the balls to print this story
9:58 am
" Let's see how committed Mr. Rodriguez is to his "art".
Come on in and see me, I'll tattoo any of your penis images, or text on you with my compliments.
A large penis on your neck would make a classy statement don't you think? "
Why would he want a tattoo of you on his neck?
12:03 pm
read what Paul said more carefully
he was offering to tattoo Eduadro's art on Eduardo