Maurizio Cattelan's Golden Toilet Sculpture Stolen at the London Exhibition – ARTnews

Just a few days after it was released to the public in London, Maurizio Cattelan's 18-carat gold toilet has disappeared.

In one declaration posted on Twitter Saturday morning, the Blenheim Palace said that the government of Cattelan America (2016) was "stolen" at the artist's current exhibition, which opened Thursday and is expected to close on Oct. 27. On his website, the Blenheim Palace announced that it was closed for the day, following what he described as an "Unexpected Incident."

Edward Spencer-Churchill, founder of the Blenheim Art Foundation, who mounted the exhibition, said in a statement: "We are shocked and saddened by this news and are working with the police to restore the works of art from the exhibition as soon as possible. "

A representative of the Blenheim Art Foundation said he had no comments from Cattelan.

The current issue of Cattelan at Blenheim Palace, "Victory is not an option," presents a number of new works, including a 39-foot replica of a Jeanne's sculpture arm Arc in Paris and a flag installation Union Jack a gateway. The presentation of the palace America, which appeared briefly in an 18th-century domestic setting that ran up against the golden luster of the sculpture, had been one of the most vaunted pieces of the show. according to NBC Newsthe toilet is valued at $ 1 million.

America debuted in 2016 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York after a five-year period during which Cattelan produced no new work. In its initial presentation, the toilets were functional. Nancy Spector, Guggenheim Conservator, offered to lend the job to the White House, after explaining that the museum could not lend a valued job to Vincent van Gogh who could not travel. (The White House has declined its offer.)

On Twitter, the Blenheim Palace said: "We are saddened by this extraordinary event, but we are also relieved that no one is hurt." A few hours later, the guardian reported that a 66-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the robbery.

Dominic Hare, CEO of Blenheim Palace, said in a statement: "We hope against any hope of being able to recover this valuable work of art. It is deeply ironic that a work of art depicting the American Dream and the idea of ​​an elite object made available to all are almost instantly removed and hidden. We hope that the wonderful work of our dear friend Maurizio Cattelan will be immortalized by this stupid and useless act. "