Young Australian Faces Charges for Allegedly Placing Googly Eyes on ‘Blue Blob’ Artwork
A teenager from Australia has faced legal proceedings after allegedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.
Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, participated via phone at the local court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with one count of damaging property.
Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the local council explained that CCTV footage showed a person placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.
Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the judge she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a lawyer before her next court date in December.
A day after the alleged incident, the city leader said that restoration to the popular public artwork would be expensive as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be removed without damaging the sculpture.
“This intentional vandalism to a valued community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is costly - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have embraced the Blue Blob.”
The mayor said the council would seek the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the vandalism.
When the sculpture was initially suggested, it received mixed reactions from the area residents due to its price tag and appearance.
Costing A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; sixty-eight thousand pounds), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.
