Young Australian Charged for Allegedly Placing Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Artwork
A teenager from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after reportedly vandalizing a sizable art piece of a mythical creature by applying plastic eyes to it.
Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 19, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of property damage.
Officials commented at the moment of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage captured a individual putting fake eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.
The accused made no plea and told the court she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in December.
The following day the reported event, the city leader said that restoration to the popular public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without harming the sculpture.
“This wilful damage to a cherished public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our society who have embraced Cast in Blue.”
The mayor said the council would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.
At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew mixed reactions from the area residents due to its cost and appearance.
Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; sixty-eight thousand pounds), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial found in nearby caverns that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.
