Australian Teen Faces Charges for Allegedly Placing Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Sculpture
A teenager from Australia has faced legal proceedings after reportedly vandalizing a large art piece of a legendary being by affixing googly eyes to it.
Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on Tuesday, facing with one count of property damage.
Officials commented at the time of the recent event, the local council explained that surveillance video showed a person putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.
Ms Vanderhorst made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.
A day after the reported event, the city leader said that repairs to the popular public artwork would be expensive as the stickers were impossible to be removed without harming the sculpture.
“This wilful damage to a cherished community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our society who have embraced Cast in Blue.”
She added the local government would pursue the “significant” restoration expenses from those responsible for the vandalism.
At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew varied responses from the area residents due to its price tag and design.
Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers influenced by an ancient marsupial ant-eater discovered in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.
