Everyone sees something different in clouds, but people living near Auckland, New Zealand, are seeing only one thing: male genitalia.

Sculptor Gregor Kregar created “Transit Cloud” an aluminum mesh sculpture that hangs on the facade of a train station, eight meters above ground in the town of New Lynn. Meant to convey a cloudily form, residents of the working class area are complaining that the sculpture is an obvious phallic symbol. They do not want it in their town, basically, and certainly don’t want their children playing in and around it. Or that is what they are telling local media and politicians. 

The New Zealand Herald reported these comments from passersby: ”Oh my God, it’s a cock and balls,” said one spectator. Another exclaimed: “What the hell is that? It’s certainly not a cloud. It looks like a penis.” Um yes, thats because it is, well, a penis.

The public artwork cost NZ$200,000 (about US$150,000) and was commissioned by the Auckland Council to bring contemporary artistic flare to the quiet town. In principle, a good idea right? Trouble is, it hovers above a street connecting the new railway with the town’s library and shopping mall and is a busy pedestrian area used by school children, the elderly and shoppers. Residents believe the artwork is not only a waste of money but offensive.

The artist, Mr. Kregar, has responded by saying he believes the debate is good and welcome: “Art is out there to stir reaction.” He intended for the work to resemble clouds and raindrops, he claims — certainly not a penis. A 50-meter string of neon lights will transform the sculpture at night into a colorful amorphous floating island which he hopes will change residents’ perspectives of the work. Either that or a giant neon penis lighting up the night sky for miles around.