Controversial Playboy Sign on Display in Dallas

A 40-foot high Playboy bunny logo that had upset some residents of the West Texas town of Marfa is now featured in an exhibition.

The neon bunny that was part of the "Playboy Marfa" sculpture by New York contemporary artist Richard Phillips was dismantled and moved to the Dallas Contemporary museum near Downtown Dallas.

The move to Dallas, which is about 500 miles northeast of Marfa, is the result of a deal with the Texas Department of Transportation.

The "Playboy Marfa" sculpture debuted last June along U.S. 90, but some Marfa residents were upset that their town -- known as a hub for artists and creative types -- was being used for marketing purposes. Also, Texas transportation officials said the sculpture lacked a state permit required for outdoor billboards and moved quickly to give Playboy 45 days to remove it.

The bunny has been installed at the museum and will be on display through August 10 as part of an exhibition highlighting Phillips' work.

Dallas Contemporary has been working with Phillips for a year on his first solo museum exhibition in the U.S. The Playboy piece will be one of several three-dimensional art works displayed along with paintings and drawings.

The museum does not keep its art as part of any collection, so the neon bunny will be moved again -- it's just not clear where, museum spokeswoman Erin Cluley said in November.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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