Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has confirmed that four minors vandalized art and building space at the museum last week using Silly String.
GILLIAN JONES-HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
NORTH ADAMS — A group of minors armed with Silly String have been accused of vandalizing unidentified pieces of art and property last week at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
The four juveniles, who have been identified, have been referred to law enforcement in connection with two separate incidents on Thursday at the museum, said Jennifer Falk, the museum’s communications director.
Falk declined to comment on which artworks were targeted and the extent of damage, if any, because it was currently dealing with owners and estates of the art. But she did say the art was able to be restored.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Falk said. “The individuals involved were minors and there’s a lot of sensitivity… and we want to respect the privacy of their families.”
Silly String is a popular novelty toy that sprays a stream of colorful, flexible plastic foam from an aerosol can.
Some of the damage occurred in building B13, which houses office space and artist residences are, she said. It was not clear how the juveniles gained access to the buildings.
After the Mass MoCA confirmed that four minors vandalized various buildings and art with Silly String late last week, the museum appears to have added a door before the offices and tenants on the second floor of building B13, where at least some of the vandalism took place.
IZZY BRYARS — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
The North Adams Police Department has not responded to multiple requests for information about the incidents and The Eagle is still trying to obtain the police report.
On Tuesday, remnants of what appear to be Silly String across entire walls in a unisex bathroom in building B13 were still visible.
Since the incidents, Falk said all security protocols have been reviewed, main doors and tenant building doors have been confirmed as secure “to avoid future incidents.”