michaela meise
 
Zunge - 2007

wood, stain, wax
190 x 109 x 5 cm / 74 3/4 x 43 x 2 in

"Zunge" [tongue] refers to the cultural meaning of a human organ. In western culture this sense organ often is associated in an erotic or provocative meaning. The poked out tongue appears by Kiss or the Rolling Stones as an attribute of male sexuality. Also the tongue can be seen as symbol for language. That is where the archaic punishment, cutting the tongue of liars results from. The Indian divinity Kali, goddess of death and renewal, is shown with a poked out tongue, whereby this gesture is seen as sign of shock and shame over the death of her husband Shiva she caused.