Young Australian Faces Charges for Supposedly Placing Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Artwork
A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a sizable art piece of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.
The 19-year-old, aged 19, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, facing with one count of damaging property.
Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage showed a individual putting fake eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.
Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the judge she was ill, as reported by news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to find a lawyer before her next court date in December.
The following day the reported event, the local mayor stated that repairs to the much-loved public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be removed without harming the art piece.
“This wilful damage to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”
She added the local government would seek the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the vandalism.
At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it received varied responses from the local community due to its price tag and design.
Costing 136,000 Australian dollars ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.
