Florida Artist Guilty In Museum Vase-Smashing
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A local artist's idea of a protest has landed him in hot water.
A South Florida artist has pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge for smashing a vase that was part of a museum exhibit by noted Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.
Maximo Caminero entered the plea Wednesday. He agreed to 18 months' probation, payment of $10,000 restitution to an insurance company for the destroyed vase and 100 hours of community service at local art programs.
Caminero also issued a letter of apology. At the time, Caminero said he was protesting what he thought was lack of support for local artists by the new Perez Art Museum Miami. Caminero now says that was wrong.
The vase was one of 16 in an Ai installation at the museum.
Criminal mischief is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
RELATED CONTENT:
