MACON, Georgia (WGXA) – A representative of the Macon Transit Authority said artwork at a bus stop in downtown Macon was vandalized.
Jami Gaudet, spokeswoman for the Macon Transit Authority, said a downtown business owner discovered the damage on Aug. 18.
The piece is titled “Diversity in Motion” and was created by Macon artist Jim Bodell of JR Bodell Sculpture, Inc.
The installation was previously based on a large background of colorful balls “floating in space” connected to a sculptural element – a vertical chain of colorful metal rings, at the top of which was a series of increasingly smaller, colorful balls pouring out onto the background.
“The tall sculptural element on the right represents a vortex that draws colors upward and then spills them into the horizontal plane at the back of the bus stop,” Bodell previously explained of the sculpture. “I used different shapes and colors and created the illusion of spheres floating in space to reflect the diversity of people and transportation in our community,” he said. “I hope this work will enliven the city’s core and also create another landmark for Macon.”
Gaudet says the financial damage amounts to thousands of dollars, but what torments her most is the destructive power itself.
After speaking to locals who frequented the area at the time the sculpture was discovered partially broken and partially stolen, Gaudet believes the ART STOP sculpture was at that location on Thursday and Friday, August 15 and 16. She therefore believes the crime may have occurred between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Larger pieces were found broken off and dumped on Cherry Street, and several smaller pieces were still missing Monday afternoon.
Gaudet urges anyone with information about the damaged art installation to contact CRIMESTOPPERS.
“All tips are confidential,” says Gaudet. “CRIMESTOPPERS does not need to know who you are to know who YOU are. CRIMESTOPPERS pays for tips – 1-877-68-CRIME.”
WGXA News has reached out to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for more information. Check back later tonight for an update on this story.
