'Zygote'

Amager is known as one of Copenhagen’s rough-around-the-edges areas, sometimes likened to the spray-tanned, tattooed culture of Jersey Shore or the working-class character of Staten Island. Pop-cultural depictions often highlight a proudly unsophisticated attitude, making Amager the subject of gentle mockery.

The residents, aware of their reputation, reacted strongly when Sophia Kalkau’s artwork Zygote was unveiled in 2021. Rising 33 feet (10 meters) tall and standing at the entrance to Amager, the column-like sculpture quickly drew attention for what many locals thought resembled a large rectal adult toy, an impression that sparked a mix of amusement, disbelief, and irritation.

Taking the local reactions to heart, a tabloid newspaper brought a sketch of Zygote to a Copenhagen sex shop, inquiring whether "anything like this" was in stock. The staff provided a set of nearly identical anal beads, demonstrating how literal Amager’s new landmark was.

News of the sculpture and the tabloid’s stunt spread quickly, sparking a national debate. Some commentators called the work “unintentionally obscene” and “an eyesore in bronze,” while others praised its calm, geometric form as both minimalist and imposing. Critics and comedians joined the discussion over whether the work should be seen as daring art or simply a design misstep.

The artist Kalkau, who has never publicly addressed the controversy, explains that Zygote was conceived as a chain of elliptical forms that shift appearance depending on the viewer’s angle, creating a visual rhythm with its surroundings.

The New Carlsberg Foundation, which commissioned the work, notes that the bronze column echoes the shapes of nearby church towers and was intended as a monumental gateway marking the transition into Amager from central Copenhagen.