Penis Iron Maiden

  “Penis Iron Maiden” is an interactive piece that combines the horror of medieval torture with the male phallus. Resembling a cross between an armoire and a coffin, the PIM is activated when participants step inside to be gently impaled by hundreds of silicone penises while they gaze at their own dimly lit reflection.

Inspired by the artist Feral Maz’s colorful career as a sex worker, the 147 penises viewers interact with attempts to distill a career’s-worth of erections into a single overwhelming encounter. While not all clients of sex worker’s are cisgender men, the inclusion of only male genitalia is representative of the primary demographic of buyers of sex. The female exterior figure covering the doors of the sculpture, combined with male genitalia inside, seeks to draw attention to the stereotypical narrative of female people selling sex and male people buying it; and then turn it on its head. 

To get inside the PIM one must open the doors by pantomiming the removal of the woman’s corset. Upon getting inside her, participants are greeted not with comforting female sexuality, but numerous male erections. In addition to penises, the interior includes red suede upholstery and mood-lighting reminiscent of the ambiance often found in private lap dance rooms of strip clubs. The result is both plush and claustrophobia inducing. 

The exterior life-size female figure adorning the doors of the PIM is modeled after early byzantine mosaics of saints, while the gold leaf halo surrounding her is similar to the flaming auras depicted on catholic saint cards. Clad in lingerie and platform stilettos, the figure is transformed into the patron saint of strippers. Her background of money emulates a 2021 photo of the artist laying in a pile of cash; Feral Maz’s tuition money for a graduate degree in puppetry.

 When locked inside the Penis Iron Maiden’s chambers, Feral Maz hopes participants will feel a wide breadth of emotions. Surprise and intrigue elicited by the variety of shapes and sizes of phalluses, uncomfortable perhaps from the unavoidable nudge of the silicone protrusions, mild distress spurred by the knowledge one is locked inside until the interaction is over, and even silliness inspired by the sheer ridiculousness of it all. 

Curious. Dirty. Afraid. Alone. Aroused. Exhilarated. Exhausted. Intimate.

Feral Maz has felt all the above things and more during their time as a sex worker. By creating the Penis Iron Maiden, it is Feral Maz’s intention to create a space ripe to explore the different discourses surrounding commercial and recreational sex. Participants who choose to be shut inside the cock-studded embrace of the Penis Iron Maiden are encouraged to spend 1-3 minutes inside (the average length of a lap-dance) reflecting on their own thoughts regarding sex work, intimacy and labor under capitalism. 

“I wanted to create an interactive piece that acknowledges the overwhelming and sometimes scary nature of sex work, while also celebrating and idolizing the workers who do it. The piece is supposed to be intense, but also playful. I think the piece is really funny while also aesthetically pleasing. I think humor is great way to provoke serious conversations” - Feral Maz