[Maru]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

While I'm not defending those pieces (don't have a view really) only the cock in NYC was in what you call it dirty area.
Butt plug was in Place Vendome, one of the most prestigious squares in Paris. The copulating duo was meant to be in the courtyard of the Louvre, but the director chickened out at the last moment so it ended up in front of the Pompidou Centre.
The disconcerting detail about the copulators is that it is unclear whether it is man and woman or man and animal.
Re. your idea of placing provocative art in religious spaces, they tend to be very conservative and quite often only public spaces managed by secular authorities like some buildings or squares are willing to take a risk.

Thank you for that. I figured they were street art, but not knowing the areas that well I can't really comment.

I've just never understood shock art in an urban setting where there would normally be graffiti, other murals etc anyway... not exactly "provocative" ...

I don't think all conservative areas would necessarily be closed-minded to displaying sexual symbols though. Judeo-Christian/Western values attempts to cleanse itself of these "vulgarities", whereas Asian cultures are more willing to see the human body outside of its "pornographic" view... art history is full of fertility symbols, etc, that could be re-construed in a more contemporary manner in historical settings. Nudity doesn't particularly bother me though, but I can understand someone asking for warning if they bring their children to an exhibit, etc...