Artist guilty over smashing vase in exhibit
An artist has pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge for smashing a vase that was part of a US museum exhibit by noted Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.
Maximo Caminero entered the plea today.
He agreed to 18 months’ probation, payment of 10,000 US dollars restitution to an insurance company for the destroyed vase and 100 hours of community service at local art programmes.
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 in Florida. 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.
