Australian Teen Charged for Supposedly Attaching Googly Eyes on ‘Cast in Blue’ Sculpture

A young person from Australia has appeared in court after reportedly vandalizing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing plastic eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of property damage.

In a statement at the moment of the recent event, the local council explained that CCTV footage captured a individual placing artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and informed the judge she was ill, according to media sources, with the magistrate recommending her to find a lawyer before her next court date in December.

A day after the reported event, the city leader said that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be removed without damaging the sculpture.

“This wilful damage to a valued community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin remarked in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our society who have embraced the Blue Blob.”

She added the council would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.

When the artwork was first proposed, it drew varied responses from the area residents due to its price tag and appearance.

Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers influenced by an prehistoric marsupial ant-eater discovered in nearby caverns that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.