Australian Teen Charged for Supposedly Attaching Sticker Eyes on ‘Blue Blob’ Sculpture
A young person from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.
The 19-year-old, 19 years old, participated remotely at the local court in South Australia on that day, charged with one count of property damage.
Officials commented at the time of the recent event, the municipal authorities explained that surveillance video showed a person putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.
The accused made no plea and told the judge she was unwell, according to news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to find a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in December.
The following day the reported event, the local mayor said that restoration to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be removed without harming 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 innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have embraced the Blue Blob.”
She said the council would seek the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the vandalism.
At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew mixed reactions from the area residents due to its cost and design.
Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; sixty-eight thousand pounds), the sculpture depicts a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial discovered in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.
