Australian Teen Faces Charges for Supposedly Attaching Sticker Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Sculpture
A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.
Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 19, appeared remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, facing with a single charge of damaging property.
In a statement at the time of the September incident, the local council explained that surveillance video showed a individual putting fake eyes on the artwork, which residents have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.
The accused made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, as reported by news outlets, with the judge advising her to find a lawyer before her next court date in December.
A day after the alleged incident, the local mayor said that repairs to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be removed without damaging the art piece.
“This wilful damage to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”
The mayor added the council would seek the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.
At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew varied responses from the area residents due to its cost and appearance.
Costing A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient anteater-like marsupial found in nearby caverns that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.
