Australian Teen Faces Charges for Allegedly Placing Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Sculpture
A teenager from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after allegedly vandalizing a sizable blue sculpture of a legendary being by affixing googly eyes to it.
The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, facing with a single charge of damaging property.
Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the local council said that CCTV footage showed a individual placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.
The accused did not enter a plea and told the judge she was ill, as reported by news outlets, with the judge advising her to find a legal representative before her next court date in December.
A day after the alleged incident, the city leader said that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the stickers could not be removed without damaging the sculpture.
“This wilful damage to a valued community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not harmless fun, it is costly - it is also disappointing to those members of our society who have embraced the Blue Blob.”
The mayor added the local government would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.
At the time the sculpture was first proposed, it received mixed reactions from the area residents due to its price tag and appearance.
Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork represents a mythical megafauna, with the creators influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial discovered in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.
