Paris vandals destroy giant inflatable...

[mmntech]

Yep.

PARIS (Reuters) - Vandals attacked a giant green inflatable sculpture in one of the most famous squares in Paris in the early hours of Saturday after its resemblance to a sex toy sparked an outcry.

The 24-meter-high canvas artwork by U.S. artist Paul McCarthy was unveiled on Thursday in Place Vendome, famous for its luxury jewelry stores and the Ritz Hotel.

"An unidentified group of people cut the cables which were holding the artwork, which caused it to collapse," police told Reuters. "The person responsible for the piece then decided to deflate it to avoid it being more seriously damaged."

The deflated sculpture was being removed from the square on Saturday afternoon.

McCarthy told French newspaper Le Monde that his work "Tree" was inspired both by a sex toy called a butt plug and a Christmas tree. It was part of the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC) taking place Paris on Oct. 23-26.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the attack was unacceptable and also denounced an assault on McCarthy the day he installed the work, when a man hit him in the face before running away.

"Paris will not succumb to the threats of those who, by attacking an artist or a work, are attacking artistic freedom," she said in a statement. "Art has its place in our streets and nobody will be able to chase it away."

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That's considered "art"? LOL!

 

[PottedMeat]

The 24-meter-high canvas artwork by U.S. artist Paul McCarthy was unveiled on Thursday in Place Vendome, famous for its luxury jewelry stores and the Ritz Hotel.

this attack on america will not be tolerated



could this be the first time 'butt plug' was used in a reuters story?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wait, so that thing was actually for serious, and not some kind of elaborate prank? That's hilarious!

Coming to a sex store near you: The Christmas Tree butt plug!

What's that structure next to it? It almost looks like they ordered a prefab building and did not open the box yet. LOL.

 

[UglyCasanova]

So I'd like to know wtf his "work" is supposed to say? It was inspired by a Christmas tree and butt plug. Why is that art and why put it in a public square?

 

[zerocool84]

I heard French chicks like anal so this must be in honor of them.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

So I'd like to know wtf his "work" is supposed to say? It was inspired by a Christmas tree and butt plug. Why is that art and why put it in a public square?

Something to do with the Catholic concept of virginity.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm glad somebody took the ugly thing down. It reminds me of some of the sculptures" I've seen on various campuses around the U.S.

 

[sdifox]

Wait, so that thing was actually for serious, and not some kind of elaborate prank? That's hilarious!

Coming to a sex store near you: The Christmas Tree butt plug!

What's that structure next to it? It almost looks like they ordered a prefab building and did not open the box yet. LOL.

Reno happening, the drawing on the "box" is of the finished product.

 

[JEDIYoda]

That's considered "art"? LOL!

in France that is art...

 

[DrPizza]

France has The Louvre. I think they can tell the difference between art, and something that was created to intentionally offend a large portion of their population.

 

[T9D]

They have a suspect

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

France has The Louvre. I think they can tell the difference between art, and something that was created to intentionally offend a large portion of their population.

Apparently this quality of discernment is not something the Parisian mayor possesses.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

They have a suspect

Link Fail.

 

[RandomAhearne]

Mayhap they should make some fortress or some such to protect these precious items. A line perhaps. I can envision it in my head now. A line, an impenetrable line. A line that none have seen. It will be the glory of all France and it shall never be passed!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

in France that is art...

I've been to France many, many times. That is not art. For art, see: Louvre.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Mayhap they should make some fortress or some such to protect these precious items. A line perhaps. I can envision it in my head now. A line, an impenetrable line. A line that none have seen. It will be the glory of all France and it shall never be passed!

Let us welcome our newest member André Maginot!

 

[DrPizza]

Apparently this quality of discernment is not something the Parisian mayor possesses.

I'm not an expert on Parisian culture, but could it be the public image from the mayor, while in the background, he was quietly applauding it?

 

[mmntech]

I think I found the sculpture this is supposed to be paired with. NSFW
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mmntech/David-Cerny-latest.jpg