When Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, he not only left his music to posterity, but also his penis. At least a plaster cast of it, made by artist Cynthia "Plaster Caster" Albritton. Now a cast of the good piece can be seen in a place that seems very appropriate: in the Icelandic Phallus Museum.
The Icelandic Phallus Museum has gained an infamous work of art: As of this month, visitors can marvel at a plaster cast of rock legend Jimi Hendrix's erect penis. The work of art was created by artist Cynthia "Plaster Caster" Albittron, who died this year and made casts of the penises of around 50 rock stars.
The Icelandic Phallus Museum in Reykjavik has around 400 objects on display, some of which are curious, including the sex organs of whales and the genitals of a raccoon. Among the most famous exhibits in the museum are the bronzes of the genitals of the entire handball team that won silver for Iceland at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Albittron had promised the Phallus Museum the cast of Hendrix's penis before her death. According to a certificate of authenticity, the exhibit is a replica of an original cast from 1968.
Known for songs like "Foxy Lady" and "Hey Joe," Hendrix died of an overdose in 1970 at the age of 27. The then 20-year-old Albritton had met him as a groupie in February 1968, and the plaster cast of his genitals was one of the first she made, having previously practiced on less prominent models. The cast of Hendrix's penis is "definitely one of our most treasured pieces," said Phallus Museum Assistant Curator Thordur Olafur Thordarson. "We are extremely happy to have him."
Museum visitors' reactions to the Hendrix sculpture were mixed. "It's funny," British tourist Steven Warren said of the object. Pascal Podwojewski from France said he doesn't think "history will remember the size of (Hendrix's) penis, his music will be remembered more."
