The calm at Zona Maco art fair in Mexico City last week was shattered by the accidental destruction of a glass artwork by art critic Avelina Lésper. While OMR Gallery, which exhibited the work, does not blame Lésper so much for the accident in itself, it criticised her behaviour afterwards as "disrespectful and unprofessional". The incident has even raised several debates on the very nature of art.
Lésper said she accidentally broke the installation by contemporary artist Gabriel Rico during her visit to the Zona Maco fair when she placed an empty soda can near the work. A few seconds later, the work, composed mainly of glass and titled Nimble and sinister ticks (To be preserved without scandal and corruption) I, collapsed before shattering on the ground.
In his works, plastic artist Rico stages and juxtaposes man-made objects, such as tennis balls or footballs, with objects he finds in nature.
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Lésper was not impressed by the work, but believes the accident was pure coincidence. "It was as if the work had heard my comments and felt what I thought about it," said Lésper in a video published by the Mexican newspaper Milenio, for which she writes reviews. “The installation broke into pieces, collapsed and fell to the ground."
Quickly informed that the value of the work was US$20,000 (£15,370), Lésper continues to claim it was an accident. OMR Gallery, however, says it was alarmed by Lésper's apparent lack of respect and professionalism. "Coming too close to the artwork to place a can of soda and take a photo to criticise has undoubtedly caused the destruction," the gallery said in a statement.
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OMR also added that Rico's work is very popular with collectors and institutions at the moment. "A tragedy," said Alfonso Miranda, Director of Museo Soumaya, Mexico City, of the situation.
Lésper suggested leaving the broken piece as it is to show "its evolution", an idea that the gallery immediately rejected. It is not yet known whether she will have to pay for the work. OMR said that the artist must first be consulted before a decision is made.
