This is an interesting article on controversial awards.
What would your opinion be on something like this in the US?

The first paragraph……

Controversial art

A giant penis spray-painted on a bridge has won an art prize.

By Sergey Chernov

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: April 13, 2011 (Issue # 1651)

The controversial “Dick Taken Prisoner by the FSB” — a 65-meter penis painted on Liteiny bridge to face the FSB (former KGB) headquarters in St. Petersburg when the bridge was raised — won the Culture Ministry-backed Innovation prize at a glitzy ceremony in Moscow on Thursday…….
http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=33851