Ai Weiwei piece destroyed by Florida artist

A vase by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, that was on display at the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAAM), was destroyed this past Sunday as an act of protest and the artist who destroyed it will be facing criminal charges, according to police...

The vase was reportedly valued at $1 million, was destroyed by Maximo Caminero, a Dominican born, local Miami artist. Caminero picked up one of the colored vases by Weiwei, and after security guards told him to put the piece down, he then smashed it on the floor. The accused said that he broke the vase in protest "of the museum's lack of local artists displays." If found guilty in court, Caminero could be found on a third-degree felony criminal mischief which could be punishable by up to five years in prison (since the property that was destroyed was valued over $1000.) When asked about why he destroyed the piece, Caminero said "I was at [the museum] and saw Ai Weiwei's photos behind the vases where he drops an ancient Chinese vase and breaks it... And I saw it as a provocation by Weiwei to join him in an act of performance protest.''

The vase was a painted urn, which dates from the Han dynasty of 206BC-220AD, in bright colors as part of his "Coloured Vases" series which was on display at the PAMM. Behind the grouping of a dozen or so vases are three large photos of Weiwei dropping the pottery on the ground as a way to "express the notion that new ideas and values can be produced through iconoclasm." Luckily, it seems like the museum or insurance will cover the cost of the damaged piece. It is uncertain if Caminero will cover the cost of the vase. Weiwei said that “when I received the report of the damage, I didn't pay much attention, because my work is often being destroyed or broken during the exhibitions.' His exhibition titled 'The Ai Weiwei: According to What?' runs through March 16th.


More:
Ai Weiwei Responds to Destroyed Artwork
Who's the Vandal?: Weiwei or Caminero
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