Googly Eyes on Iconic Sculpture Land Woman in Court
A young woman’s impulsive act of adding googly eyes to a prominent public sculpture has resulted in a conviction for graffiti, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding public art and vandalism. Amelia Vanderhorst, 20, pleaded guilty in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to marking graffiti on the controversial “Cast in Blue” sculpture, a piece that has garnered international attention since its unveiling last year.
The incident, which occurred last September, saw Ms. Vanderhorst record and share her actions online, attaching the large googly eyes to the artwork, affectionately nicknamed the “Blue Blob.” Police alleged that her conduct displayed a “reckless indifference” to the potential damage to the sculpture.
Mount Gambier City Council incurred costs of nearly $3,000 to rectify the damage caused by the vandalism. During the court proceedings, Ms. Vanderhorst’s defence lawyer, Michael Hill, explained that his client had been under the influence of MDMA and had consumed a significant amount of alcohol on the night of the incident. He stated that her intention was to make the sculpture appear humorous, inspired by similar acts she had witnessed.
Mr. Hill conveyed that Ms. Vanderhorst expressed deep remorse for her actions, describing it as “one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.” He also informed the court that she had entered a new relationship in January and was now committed to sobriety from MDMA, with her alcohol consumption now limited to controlled settings.
Magistrate Kylie Schulz acknowledged the significant public and media attention the case had attracted. She ordered Ms. Vanderhorst to pay $2,000 in compensation to the council and complete 60 hours of community service. “Your actions mocked the sculpture and the artist,” Magistrate Schulz remarked.
Crowdfunding for Legal Defence
The legal proceedings took an interesting turn when, during an earlier appearance in November, Ms. Vanderhorst was encouraged by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos to apply for legal aid. Instead, she opted to launch a GoFundMe page to fund her defence, which successfully raised $1,894.
On the crowdfunding platform, Ms. Vanderhorst explained her situation: “I am the one who put the eyes on the blue blob and am getting charged for it when people do not think it’s fair.” She cited her lack of financial resources, being “only young and jobless,” and emphasised her intention was not to cause harm or offence. The crowdfunding page has since been removed, and Mr. Hill confirmed that the funds raised were returned to the donors.
Ms. Vanderhorst’s legal representation formally began in December when she engaged Mr. Hill. He requested time to finalise a representation contract and engage in negotiations with the prosecution.
“Cast in Blue”: A Beacon of Controversy
The “Cast in Blue” sculpture, installed in July last year, is intended to represent a mythical version of megafauna that once roamed the South East of South Australia. Its striking blue hue was chosen to pay homage to Mount Gambier’s iconic Blue Lake.
The sculpture has faced its share of challenges. Prior to the googly eye incident, approximately two weeks after its installation, parts of its paint were chipped off in an unrelated act of damage. Despite council providing CCTV footage to SA Police, no charges were laid in that instance.
Following Ms. Vanderhorst’s actions in September, the council reported that stickers had been applied to the sculpture, and the adhesive proved difficult to remove without compromising the artwork’s surface. Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin stated at the time that the council would seek to recover costs from the responsible party.
“People don’t have to like it, but they don’t have to be creating wilful damage in this way,” Mayor Martin commented. “I think it’s inappropriate and disrespectful and there’s many members of our community who’ve embraced Cast in Blue.” The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in commissioning and maintaining public art, and the differing perspectives on artistic expression and vandalism within a community.
