Vandals have deflated a Paul McCarthy sculpture in an exclusive Paris square after outraged conservative groups said it resembled a giant sex toy. The artist (who was slapped in the face by an outraged passer by) said it was inspired by an anal plug, but it was an abstract work that could also be seen as a Christmas tree. France's minister of culture Fleur Pellering, stepped in saying it was"an inadmissable attack on the freedom of creation" and the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, added "Paris will not yield to the threats of those who attack artistic freedom." However, McCarthy says he doesn't intend to repair or reinstall the art work - perhaps because he is preparing another installation in Paris in a working chocolate factory that hosts contemporary art installations, and where visitors will be able to see Santa Claus holding a smaller butt plug.
Image: Paul McCarthy's Tree in Vendome Square, Paris.
Image: Paul McCarthy's Tree in Vendome Square, Paris.
