On Mount Gambier\u2019s Bay Road, the \u201cBlue Blob\u201d stands like a proud but paunchy echidna, its seamless coating restored to perfection after an alleged googly eye stunt that captured the world\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n
Amelia Vanderhorst, 20, from Mount Gambier in South Australia<\/a>, was charged with damaging the town\u2019s $136,000 Cast in Blue sculpture by sticking large novelty eyes on it on 13 September.<\/p>\n Locals refer to the sculpture, which represents a \u201cgiant mythical megafauna creature\u201d reimagined in blue to reflect nearby Blue Lake, as the Blue Blob.<\/p>\n Pictures tell the story: the Blob sporting two goofy looking eyes; then two ragged holes where the Blob\u2019s two-pack paint was ripped off; then the Blob under repair, looking like a wounded soldier in a gas mask.<\/p>\n Now, the Blob is back, but the court case drags on.<\/p>\n According to court documents, police allege Vanderhorst, \u201cknowing that she had no lawful authority to do so, damaged Cast in Blue, intending to damage property or being recklessly indifferent\u201d to whether it was damaged.<\/p>\n Vanderhorst has not entered a plea.<\/p>\n The damage was less than $2,500, police said. On Tuesday, the case was adjourned until January. Vanderhorst\u2019s lawyer said he needed time to negotiate with the prosecution.<\/p>\n At the time, the council said it was the second act of vandalism against the Blob, but this second attack was captured by CCTV.<\/p>\n \u201cThis wilful damage to a valued public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful,\u201d the mayor of Mount Gambier, Lynette Martin, said. \u201cIt is not harmless fun. It is costly.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cast in Blue sculpture before it acquired googly eyes. Photograph: City of Mount Gambier<\/p>\n As more than one person in the town remarked, it would have been better if Blu-tack was used for the alleged eye-sticking.<\/p>\n If Vanderhorst is found guilty and penalised, it might be the first time a googly eye stunt has been punished \u2013 but it will be far from the first time googly eyes have been stuck on public objects.<\/p>\n The vandalised Cast in Blue under repair in Mount Gambier in September. Photograph: City of Mount Gambier<\/p>\n A Copenhagen art project used the term \u201ceyebombing\u201d, which the BBC described<\/a> in 2013 as \u201cusing googly eyes to bring objects to life\u201d. The late Pee-wee Herman helped popularise <\/a>the practice by promoting the BBC story.<\/p>\n In 2022<\/a>, giant, slightly askew googly eyes appeared on the dignified statue of Adelaide city planner Colonel William Light and several other sites around the city.<\/p>\n Days later, pranksters put a pair on Adelaide\u2019s Big Scotsman<\/a>, a larger-than-life bagpiper adorning a city motel. The motel manager reported some damage to his sporran.<\/p>\n