DURANGO, Colo. | A controversial sculpture displayed at a major Durango intersection called the “Arc of History” is now history.
The city-owned sculpture is a span of stone slabs impaled on a long steel rod. It has been the target of public ridicule since its installation last year, including a number of vandalisms to make it look like a dinosaur, a Chinese New Year dragon and even a graduate, with a cap and gown.
But now someone has gone further by actually destroying the sculpture.
The Durango Police Department responded to a report from a passing driver Wednesday at about 7 a.m. Officers found rocks from both of the Arc’s arms had been broken off and destroyed, possibly with a rock pick or pick ax.
“It makes me feel sick to my stomach that someone would destroy city property like this,” said Sherri Dugdale, assistant to the city manager. “Dressing it up in heads and outfits is one thing, but this …”
The city estimates the sculpture, which was purchased for $28,000, is a total loss.
At Studio &, member artist Maureen May, who called the loss “painful,” raised a dark flag displaying a dinosaur and the letters, “RIP,” in honor of the mutilated sculpture.
“I think it sucks. It’s a sad, sad comment on how people treat something they don’t like,” she said.
Authorities have looked through all the video footage at the intersection of U.S. highways 550 and 160, but they still haven’t identified any suspects.
Dugdale said the broken rocks are being held in storage as evidence in a felony case. Durango police are asking the public for help in solving the crime.
The Arc of History was created by Pennsylvania artist Tom Holmes. The sculpture was chosen by the Durango Public Art Commission after public input and then installed in August 2014.
Information from: Durango Herald, https://www.durangoherald.com