Real art-shattering, iconoclastic art?

The world has its fair share of earth-shattering art. We'd reckon that Jeff Koons' series of Limoges porcelain sculptures 'Balloon Dog' isn't one of them. On Sunday, however, one such sculpture did shatter to gazillion pieces after a visitor in the Miami gallery where it was on display tapped it with her finger, with consequences. We kinda sympathise with the iconoclast - no, not the artist - for her act of pushing art to its limit. After all, 'Balloon Dog', in its many manifestations, is supposed to mimic regular balloon sculptures made by balloonwalas sold for kids. So, the lady must have expected, if not a trademark rubber squeak, at least a flexi touch. Thankfully, the sculpture - not priceless but worth $42,000 (almost Rs 35 lakh) - was insured.

Breaking barriers in art isn't much different from breaking art. Take Marcel Duchamp's (in)famous 'Dadaist manifesto' work of a moustachioed Mona Lisa titled 'L.H.O.O.Q.', the French acronym pronounced the same as 'Elle a chaud au cul', or 'She has a hot ass'. It is also true that Mr Bean destroying James N Whistler's portrait of his mother in the 1997 film is not in the same spirit as (super-Dadaist?) Taliban blowing up the Bamiyan Buddhas. But Koons' Dog Balloon being pop art - easily replicated and sold for a good pop - should be easily replaced. So, no cause for artbreak, really.