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Controversial Paris 'sex toy' artwork removed

The green inflatable object resembling an anal plug was removed from the plush Place Vendôme on Saturday after an attack by vandals.

La rédaction de Mediapart

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A controversial green art installation on Paris' Place Vendôme has been taken down after being vandalized overnight, reports U-T San Diego.

The inflatable sculpture called "Tree" vaguely resembled a Christmas tree but evoked for others, including its creator, the artist Paul McCarthy, a giant anal sex toy.

Guide wires holding the sculpture in place were severed by vandals sometime overnight, according to French media reports. The sculpture was deflated and folded up on Saturday.

Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin blasted the vandalism, calling it "a serious attack on the principle of artistic freedom."

Read more of this AP report published by U-T San Diego.