Australian Teen Charged for Supposedly Attaching Sticker Eyes on ‘Blue Blob’ Sculpture
A teenager from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after allegedly vandalizing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.
The 19-year-old, 19 years old, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of property damage.
Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage captured a individual putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.
The accused made no plea and informed the court she was ill, according to news outlets, with the judge recommending her to secure a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.
The following day the alleged incident, the local mayor stated that restoration to the much-loved public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the sculpture.
“This intentional vandalism to a valued community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our society who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”
The mayor said the local government would seek the “substantial” repair costs from those responsible for the vandalism.
When the artwork was initially suggested, it drew varied responses from the local community due to its price tag and appearance.
Costing 136,000 Australian dollars (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an prehistoric anteater-like marsupial discovered in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.
