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Canberra Today 20°/24° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Vandalised artwork returns again to Civic

The full set of little men in "On the Staircase".
The full set of little men in “On the Staircase”.
CIVIC’S continuously vandalised public art piece “On the Staircase” has again been restored and Arts Minister Joy Burch feels the need to celebrate the occasion with its Danish artist and creator Keld Moseholmthe at a media call tomorrow morning in Petrie Plaza. 

Describing by the minister as a “much loved” piece, its four male figures ascending a staircase in descending height have been variously stolen, kidnapped and even taken to with a hacksaw.

The latest attack was in July when extra protection was promised once the smaller two missing characters were re-cast in Denmark by the artist.

The restored statue, which has been vandalised at least three times in the last two years will return with a few extra security measures, including CCTV and additional lighting .

Minister Burch promised in July that the little men would be monitored 24/7 by a CCTV camera and there would be a public loudspeaker inside the statue.

“Any future thieves who try to mishandle the men will hear a real person’s voice on the loudspeaker, telling them to get away and that the police have been called,” Ms Burch said at the time.

She added she was “baffled” as to why this particular artwork was so popular with vandals.

“The sheep [statues] used to get vandalised, but not so much anymore… perhaps it’s because the men are still quite new,” she said.

“The artist is pretty disappointed it’s happening.”

Ms Burch warned that if the statue was vandalised again, she would consider moving it “to a safer location.”

 

 

 

 

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