Kabouter Buttplug (The Buttplug gnome)
Rotterdam
Gnome or Santa Claus?
Rotterdam - Have a look and smile. The Santa Claus statue in Rotterdam is a controversial statue. Just have a look and use your imagination to see why this santa has a dirty nickname.
Paul McCarthy
The city of Rotterdam bought the sculpture from Paul McCarthy (the artist, not the ex-Beatles) in 2001. But when the work on the gnome statue was finished, they decided to get rid of it.
Eendrachtsplein Rotterdam
Eventually the gnome ended on the
Eendrachtsplein in Rotterdam. The artist says that the Santa Claus statue is a stylised Christmas tree; the statue is an indictment against consumption and the sex-oriented society.
Paris
In 2014 McCarthy created a similar artwork. A 24 meter tall inflatable tree looked similar to an enormous toy that only certain adults can appreciate.
What do visitors say about Santa Claus?
Visitors rate Santa Claus with 3 out of 5 stars
Average is based on 1 votes