In recent developments brought forth to the art world, the theft of Maurizio Cattelan’s “America” a golden toilet sculpture has taken a turn. This incident, which has gained mainstream attention, deserves a thorough exploration to understand the events known surrounding the crime.
Maurizio Cattelan’s “America”
Maurizio Cattelan’s “America” is not just a toilet; it is a amplifies conversation on societal values, consumerism, and the nature of contemporary art. The solid gold fully functioning toilet, previously exhibited at the Blenheim Palace, weighing nearly 200 pounds (exactly 196 lb) holds immense artistic and monetary value, making it a focal point for this heist.
Timeline of Events: The Stolen Masterpiece
The timeline of the theft provides crucial insights into the precision and thought by the perpetrators. Understanding the sequence of events helps unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the fully functioning golden toilet.
Infiltration
After Maurizio Cattelan’s America display at the Guggenheim in 2016 brought forth its second installation at Blenheim Palace September 2019. 7 individuals managed to break into the exhibit, bypassing security measures and gaining access to the prized exhibit prior to the museums opening at 4:50 am.
Disappearance
The $6 million dollar toilet, fully functioning and properly installed weighing 196 pounds, was not expertly removed as “extensive water damage” within Blenheim Palace had accrued after the removal. This indicates a level of thought and planning that goes beyond a mere opportunistic crime. As the exhibition was yet to open, the public has never seen the sculpture displayed. The golden toilet was functioning and visitors would be accessible for use during the time of it being on display.
Investigating the Perpetrators
During the beginning of the investigation in 2019, a 66-year-old man had been arrested, Thames Valley Police said while acknowledging the “significant damage and flooding.” In the following years the police would arrest another 6 men.
This Monday, November 6th 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service announced four of the seven men previously arrested have been charged with burglary, transferring criminal property, and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Although the men have been arrested and charged, there has been no assurance that the sculpture will ever be found.
Police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley mentioned to BBC, “if you have that large amount of gold. I think it seems likely that someone has already managed to dispose of it” and “it would be great if we can recover it and return it but personally I’m not convinced it’s still in quite the same form it was.”
In conversation with Times, when artist Maurizio Cattelan caught ear of the burglary the artist responded “who’s so stupid to steal a toilet.” All we can think is luckily it wasn’t used, that mess would have been horrid to clean up.
The theft of Maurizio Cattelan’s “America” is not just a crime against art; it is an affront to the very essence of artistic expression. As the investigation unfolds, the art world holds its breath, awaiting justice for this audacious heist that has shaken the foundations of the art community.
