‘One of the Most Valuable Pieces’ Cast of Hendrix’s Penis Unveiled at Phallus Museum
06/16/2022, 00:35
When Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, he not only left his music to posterity, but his penis as well. At least one plaster cast, made by artist Cynthia “Plaster Caster” Albritton. Now a cast of the good play can be seen in a place that seems very appropriate: the Icelandic Phallus Museum.
Iceland’s Phallus Museum has gained an infamous artwork: Starting this month, visitors can marvel at a plaster cast of the erect penis of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. The artwork was created by artist Cynthia “Plaster Caster” Albittron, who died this year and made casts of the penises of around 50 rock stars.
At the Phallus Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik, around 400 objects are on display, some of which are curious, including the sex organs of whales and the genitals of a raccoon. Among the museum’s most famous exhibits are bronzes from the genitals of the entire handball team that won silver for Iceland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Albittron had promised the Phallus Museum the cast of Hendrix’s penis before his death. According to a certificate of authenticity, the exhibit is a replica of an original cast from 1968.
“Definitely one of our most valuable pieces”
Known for songs like “Foxy Lady” and “Hey Joe”, Hendrix died of an overdose in 1970, aged 27. Albritton, then 20, met him as a groupie in February 1968, and the cast of his genitals was one of the first she had, having previously practiced on less prominent models. The Hendrix penis mold is “definitely one of our most treasured pieces,” said Phallus Museum assistant curator Thordur Olafur Thordarson. “We are extremely happy to have you.”
Museum visitors’ reactions to Hendrix’s 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”.