Unnamed public work by Evert Strobos / citizens

On the evening of September 1 1983, nearly 100 local inhabitants of Apeldoorn (the Netherlands) attacked a public sculpture by Evert Strobos, which was in the process of being installed at the time. With the aid of ropes, the citizens unearthed 49 rectangular slabs, some of which had been spray painted with various slogans (e.g., Alles moet plat (”Everything must [go] flat”)).

Interestingly, journalists and police were both on the scene as these collective acts of vandalism unfolded, the former taking photos while the latter looked on without interfering, not wanting to escalate the situation.