Street Art

Titian in the Twin Cities

Photo: Lezlie Pinske, Minneapolis Institute of Arts via AP

When a Minneapolis Institute of Arts billboard advertising a Titian exhibit was vandalized to cover up the nude pictured in the 16th century artist’s iconic Venus Rising from the Sea, the museum said: “We think it’s funny, just leave it, don’t bother replacing it.”

The company said it would have to remove it. Policy dictates taking down ads with graffiti “so as not to encourage vandalism.”

When asked if the graffiti was a museum-orchestrated publicity stunt to drum up business, MIA spokeswoman Anne-Marie Wagener denied having any role in the incident, adding: “We’re not that creative.”

Via: Minneapolis Star Tribune.