After selecting the main theme of our project, we decided to delve deeper into the topic by researching whether any museums were dedicated to it. We noticed and were particularly impressed by The Icelandic Phallological Museum, which is a small private museum in Reykjavík dedicated to collecting, studying, and presenting actual phalluses and all things phallic. It was founded in 1974 by Sigurður Hjartarson, a retired history professor. The museum collects male genitalia, either dried or preserved in formaldehyde.
The collection consists of 276 penises from 92 different animal species, specifically Icelandic mammals, some of which are now extinct. Since 2011, the collection has included a human penis, donated by an Icelandic citizen upon his death.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum fascinated and left us speechless because, aside from being extremely unique, it also features an immersive themed bar. This inspired us to use this atmospheric bar as a starting point for our project, which seeks to offer a historical and artistic exploration of the subject.
With reference to this concept, our project offers a deeper exploration of the phallic theme through a series of QR codes strategically placed within the museum's bar area. Visitors can scan these codes effortlessly using their own electronic devices.
The Exhibition Space Map, featured here in the Phallic Culture Expression section, serves as a detailed floor plan of the museum bar. The numbered markers, from 1 to 17, correspond to objects displayed according to the chronological order and the typology of the objects themselves (painting, sculpture, architecture, literary work, and fresco). By selecting a marker, visitors can instantly access comprehensive information about the associated object.
Once visitors reach the museum’s themed bar, they have the unique opportunity to uncover further artistic and historical insights on the subject simply by engaging with the map. Visitors can personalize their experience by choosing from our alternative narratives, such as the chronological, the typological or the geographical (better explained in the Phallic culture geographical location dedicated section) exploration.