Student appears to topple art sculptures while taking a selfie at LA museum

[question everything]

Video surveillance footage from a Los Angeles pop-up museum features a selfie attempt gone horribly wrong, ending in what's said to be a loss of sculptures valued at $200,000.

The incident took place two weeks ago inside an art installation room at The 14th Factory art exhibition in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, a museum spokeswoman told ABC News.

In the video a woman can be seen trying to take a photo of herself when she appears to lose her balance and knocks into an art display, causing a domino effect that takes down 11 identical display pillars, each with a sculpture on top. Three of the sculptures were permanently destroyed, totaling $200,000 in damages, according to the museum.

According to the spokeswoman for The 14th Factory, the woman seen on the video and apparently responsible for sending the art tumbling was a student. The nonprofit is calling the incident an accident.

The sculptures in the space were made of brass, nylon, gold plate, marble, wood, stone and metal.

The spokeswoman said the student, whose name was not released, was apologetic and offered the museum a donation. The museum would not disclose whether or not they accepted the donation or the amount.

Although the sculptures were not insured, The 14th Factory said it will not be suing the student to recover damages. It is believed that the video was leaked by a staff member at the exhibition, the spokeswoman added.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/student-appears-topple-art-sculptures-while-taking-selfie-012500995--abc-news-lifestyle.html

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Selfies will eventually bring down our civilization. Or whatever is left

[lame54]

1. Art is worth whatever someone will pay for it...

When you break it first they can make up any price they want

[NobodyHere]

2. I always put $200,000 worth of sculptures on flimsy pedestals

[Brother Buzz]

3. It happened in the installation room

One would assume the flimsy pedestals would be anchored out on the floor for the actual exhibit, especially in earthquake country.

I'm guessing the students were guests having a look-see at a bit of the behind the scene work involved in museums.

[GReedDiamond]

6. Yes. The fault for this goes to whoever was in charge...

Last edited Sun Jul 16, 2017, 12:38 AM - Edit history (1)

...of the installation. Unsecured pedestals with unsecured objects/sculptures on them, literally set up in domino fashion.

And with no insurance taken out by the "museum."

Unbelievable.

If the selfie woman had not triggered it, somebody/something else likely would have.

[RadiationTherapy]

4. In a lot of ways, many statues are "selfies"

Narcissus is an ancient tale - I don't see the difference.

[Initech]

5. Why do I picture Homer Simpson or Mr Bean doing something like this?

[jberryhill]

7. This sounds like a promotional stunt

[JI7]

8. that's what i read somewhere

[jberryhill]

9. Or performance art

The artist:

“Crowns are fragile things. They are symbols of power. Perhaps it’s ironic and meaningful that they fell.”

Yeah, accident my ass.