Have you ever seen something so gross look so beautiful? Well, that’s what 58-year-old Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was hoping for when he created America, a $1.25 million dollar solid gold toilet. However, America was stolen from the England Blenheim Palace art exhibition early last week.
Blenheim Palace responded by tweeting: “We are saddened by this extraordinary event, but also relieved no-one was hurt. We are grateful to our staff and to Thames Valley Police for their rapid and brave reactions.” They have arrested a 66-year-old man in connection with the theft.
The police were impressed with how dedicated the thieves were, as the toilet was connected and operating in the building. It must have been no easy task. Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill said “Firstly it’s plumbed in, and secondly a potential thief will have no idea who last used the toilet or what they ate. So no, I don’t plan on guarding it.”
The work is meant to be a commentary on the American Dream. Cattelan offered the toilet to the White House, but the First Family declined the offer. When asked for his reasoning, Cattelan said “What’s the point of our life? Everything seems absurd until we die and then it makes sense.”