# Lewd Landmark Installations 'Act of Parliament' Explicitly Interacts with the Gherkin Building By Meghan Young | Published 2013-06-04 | Naughty Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/act-of-parliament References: [fastcocreate](http://www.fastcocreate.com/1683091/artists-turn-london-landmark-into-worlds-largest-wanking-penis) & [upper-space.org](http://www.upper-space.org/art/artists/shiftdelete/) At first, the Act of Parliament art installation could be considered the elaborate prank of a few tech savvy street artists. Turning the Gherkin Building into a lewd landmark, it plays on its [phallic form](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sterling-silver-penis-pen). Essentially, a virtual masturbating hand has been projected onto it as a jab at London's financial sector. Created by Shift/Delete, an art group that specializes in socially-minded [outdoor installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-wall), the Act of Parliament installation was created "to protest special treatment of the [financial industry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unheard-voices-pavilion) ahead of the next month’s G8 summit in Ireland," according to Fast Co. Design. Although a bit shocking, the Act of Parliament installation does bring some much needed attention to the situation. The artists state, "Parliament does nothing to challenge the bankers -- our government has been captured -- and seeks to constantly gratify the City of London whilst the rest of us have austerity imposed on us. We must release their grip." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Naughty](https://www.trendhunter.com/naughty) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Virtual Street Art:** The Act of Parliament installation highlights the potential of using virtual projections as a form of street art and expression. - **Protest Art:** The Act of Parliament installation demonstrates the power of art in raising awareness and protesting social issues. - **Socially-minded Installations:** Shift/Delete's Act of Parliament installation showcases the trend of creating outdoor installations that aim to provoke thought and engage with social issues. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Design:** The Act of Parliament installation highlights opportunities for artists and designers to use their work as a means of political commentary and critique. - **Technology and Virtual Reality:** The use of virtual projections in the Act of Parliament installation hints at disruptive opportunities for the technology and virtual reality industries to redefine traditional art forms. - **Activism and Protest:** Shift/Delete's Act of Parliament installation serves as inspiration for individuals and organizations in the activism and protest space to explore creative ways of making their voices heard. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Distorted Furniture Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-kiss-at-last-light.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Protest Sand Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bland-castles.md) - [Spiky Inflatable Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflatable-sculptures1.md) - [Colorful Queer Monuments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/queer-monument.md) - [Gas Rig Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/striking-art-installation.md) - [Cultural Exhibition Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exhibit-columbus.md) - [Sculptural Writing Piece](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sterling-silver-penis-pen.md) - [Curvaceous Artful Play Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-pavilion.md)