“I did it for all the local artists in Miami that have never been shown in museums here”
This is what Maximo Caminero said to the New York Times, after having crashed in purpose a vase from Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
The local artist has been working as a painter for 30 years and were frustrated that local artists like himself aren’t showcased in Miami-area art museums, so he did this vandalism act in order to protest.
In addition to being a work of art by a famous artist, the shattered vase is ancient and could be as much as 7,000 years old.
When questioned by police, the Dominican-born painter revealed that he smashed the vase – not knowing it was an ancient relic – to protest the museum’s preference for foreign artworks.
Caminero also said that he was inspired by Ai Weiwei, who is depicted in a trio of photos displayed at the Miami museum smashing another vase from the Han dynasty, to join him in the act of protest.
The police affidavit lists the value of the vase as $1million – but Caminero said he had no idea it was that valuable and feels sorry for damaging such an expensive piece.
Ai also told South China Morning Post he had no problem with Caminero calling his act behavior art, as long as ‘he could bear the legal consequences.’
Criminal mischief can be a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison when the property damaged is worth more than $1,000.
Maximo Caminero
Ai Weiwei
Watch the vandalism act here and now:
Source: Appraise Art
