From ‘Shooting Corner’ to Versailles ‘Vagina’, these 5 works are standing symbols of Anish Kapoors’s genius

France suddenly seems to have a problem with the depiction of private parts. Despite being a culture that is known for its unique and artistic depictions of sexuality in infamous works of art, today it’s not so easy to get by criticisms about vulgarity.

The country’s conservatives protested against Paul Mccarthy’s ‘Butt Plug’ last year and now Anish Kapoor’s ‘Vagina’. What happened to the country that gave us ‘The Origin of the World’?

Anish Kapoor’s latest work, the Versailles ‘Vagina’ is seeing bad days, having become a center for debate in the French capital. The huge sculpture is of an open vagina facing the famous palace of Versailles. Many are not for this blatant sore in the eye in a regal setting like Versailles, where polish and subtlety are preferred.

This is not the first time the British-Indian artist is facing the radar. Why don’t you decide for yourself, what you feel about these pieces of art that have made him the lightning rod of criticism?

The ArcelorMittal Orbit

Built for the 2012 London olympics, this huge ‘awkward’ structure, as it was called, incurred flak for jutting out amidst a more grounded surrounding. Anish came out in defense of the structure, and said its about ‘going in, going out and being a part of.’  Isn’t that what Olympics is about?

Leviathon

This classic piece in Paris, looks like a giant womb, reminding many of Anish’s association with psychoanalysis and female imagery. Anish in most works tried to incline towards physical and psychological spaces that affect people in intimate ways. This one is definitely one among them.

Marsyas

Named after a Greek martyr of the same name, this composition has three steel rings attached to a PVC membrane. Though not as controversial as other works, this one in Turbine Hall is a jarring indoor piece giving the feeling of ‘flayed skin’.

This is the piece that broke all barriers for Anish and took him places as an unconventional artist!

Shooting Corner

Well the cannon stands for the male organ and all that red stuff represents ejaculation. One of Anish’s most debated exhibition pieces, the shooting corner is a glaring portrayal of male sexuality and aggression. Anish himself considers this piece a ‘provocation’.

The Dirty Corner

This work calls for more details. Also called a ‘Queen’s Vagina’, the structure has enraged many, who see it as a vulgar work and not blending with the setting of the beautiful Versailles.

The 60-metre (200-foot) long, 10-metre (33-foot) high steel-and-rock sculpture is attracting tourists by the millions though many don’t know what to think of it.

The opening of the vagina looks like a blatant portrayal of female sexuality and it’s facing the palace, another awkward encounter. Anish has never stopped himself from depicting female sexuality in bold ways and this is not the first example.

The artist is not all in the ditch as many others are full of praise for the unique illustration of female sexuality, that befittingly adds to the grandeur of French art.

Well what is Paris getting so paranoid about? Is it the subject or the way its been treated? Or are they uncomfortable with such an open exposure of an idea that only seems right in paintings where it isn’t as jarring and blatant?

Whatever the reason, there is no stopping the artist who is ready to defend every piece he creates and continues to make people think about spaces that don’t figure in public discourse. That’s a colossal way of asking a question isn’t it?