An art university that was visiting a contemporary art exhibition in Miami, in the United States, accidentally dropped a small glass sculpture by the famous artist Jeff Koons, valued at about $ 42,000.
The bright blue statuette was part of the “Balloon Dog” series that made Jeff Koons world-famous.
The incident occurred during a private pre-show at Art Winwood in Miami.
Some collectors thought it was an art show or an agreed-upon scene, according to AFP.
“I saw this woman while she was feeling the statue, which then fell and shattered into thousands of pieces,” artist Steven Gamson told Fox News in Miami.
And the French Press Agency quoted Gamson as saying that he believed that the woman was feeling the artwork to see if it was a real balloon.
A passer-by filmed the incident while gallery staff were removing shards of glass.
A voice is heard saying in the video, “I can’t believe anyone would feel that.”
Benedict Kalloch, art advisor at Bel-Air Fine Art, a sponsor of Jeff Koons’ work, told the Miami Herald that the collector did not intend to break the artwork and that insurance would cover the damage.