Young Australian Charged for Supposedly Attaching Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Sculpture
A teenager from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after reportedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.
The 19-year-old, 19 years old, appeared via phone at the local court in South Australia on that day, charged with one count of damaging property.
In a statement at the moment of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage captured a individual putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.
Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the judge she was ill, according to media sources, with the magistrate advising her to find a lawyer before her next court date in the final month of the year.
A day after the reported event, the city leader said that restoration to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the art piece.
“This wilful damage to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those people of our society who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”
She added the council would seek the “substantial” repair costs from those responsible for the damage.
At the time the sculpture was first proposed, it received mixed reactions from the area residents due to its cost and design.
Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater discovered in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.
