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Official vandalizes ‘blasphemous’ sculpture

Alessandro Bruzzi, a former right-wing political advisor, sparked a row in the city of Carrara on Wednesday after allegedly vandalizing a sculpture he deemed 'blasphemous' because it depicts a woman with her legs spread as she runs.

Published: 4 July 2013 12:06 CEST
Official vandalizes 'blasphemous' sculpture
The sculpture was on display at a church in Carrara. Photo: Davide Papalini/Wikicommons

Bruzzi is alleged to have grabbed and shaken the sculpture by artist Donia Maaoui because he felt its presence in the local church was offensive, Italian media reported.

Bruzzi was particularly upset because the work of art was placed under a crucifix. The sculpture was on display as part of the city's Marble Weeks festival.

Police called for calm after the city's mayor, Angelo Zubbani, waded in, saying the attack was "disgraceful".

"Nobody in our city, for whatever reason, should hide behind philosophical or ideological positions as a reason to damage work," he said.

Zubbani added that Carrara, in northern Italy, had a long history of welcoming artists to "sculpt and create beauty according to their tastes."

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SCULPTURE

Vandals damage iconic Norwegian sculpture

Norway's famous Sinnataggen or Angry Boy sculpture has been removed for repairs after vandals attempted to saw off its left foot.

Published: 7 April 2021 16:53 CEST
Vandals damage iconic Norwegian sculpture
Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

The bronze sculpture, a national treasure and arguably the most famous work by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, was damaged during the early hours of Tuesday.

It will be returned to Oslo’s Vigeland Sculpture Park once repairs have taken place.

Oslo Municipality, which owns the park and the sculptures, has said it is currently investigating the incident. It is not the first time someone has vandalised the work and in 2005 surveillance cameras were set up around Sinnataggen.

“This is damage to a protected cultural monument and the matter will be reported to the police,” Oslo Municipality said in a statement.

The city said it wants people to be able to enjoy the art up close and hopes they do not have to set up barriers.

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“We hope to resolve the matter quickly and that the sculpture returns… as soon as possible,” the municipality statement said.

Sinnataggen has been displayed in the park since 1940, where it has been subjected to vandalism on a number of occasions.

On New Year’s Eve 1991, it was stolen before being recovered and in 2012 somebody painted the depiction of a stamping baby completely red.

There are 58 bronze sculptures, modelled by Vigeland between 1925 and 1933, on display in the Frogner park.

In 2017, an original miniature of the worlds most beloved angry toddler sold for 1.6 million Kroner. The miniature version was cast in 1911 and is one of ten different versions of the angry boy. Unlike the larger, more renowned version, the miniature has hair on its head.

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