Maurizio Cattelan's America (2016) was installed in the guides bathrooms of Blenheim Palace © Tom Lindboe
Maurizio Cattelans fully functioning 18-carat gold toilet (America, 2016) has not yet been recovered after it was stolen from an exhibition of the Italian artist's work at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK, earlier today. The piece, reportedly valued at £1m, features in Victory is not an option (until 27 October); Cattelan has not yet commented on the incident.
Visitors to the exhibition had to book time slots to use the toilet which was installed in the guides' bathrooms at the palace; the golden loo was previously on view at the Guggenheim museum in New York.
The 18th-century stately home is the ancestral seat of the Duke of Marlborough; the dukes half-brother, Edward Spencer-Churchill, the founder of the Blenheim Art Foundation, recently told the Sunday Times that the gold lavatory would not be “the easiest thing to nick”. He added: “Firstly, its plumbed in and secondly, a potential thief will have no idea who last used the toilet or what they ate. So no, I dont plan to be guarding it.”
The burglars caused “significant damage and flooding” after removing the toilet, which was plumbed in, at around 4.50am this morning. A 66-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. Thames Valley Police say that a group of offenders used two vehicles during the theft. Commentators on social media fear however that the work may be melted down.
“We hope against hope that we can recover this precious work of art. IRead More – Source
