Last spring, a couple in Seoul, South Korea, defaced, or damaged, an artwork worth hundreds of thousands of dollars—without realizing it! American artist JonOne painted the work, shown above. He installed it in an exhibition at a shopping mall. Inspired by street art, he composed the painting using abstract brushwork. He displayed paint pots and brushes on the floor in front of the work. The visiting couple picked up a brush from the floor and added three dark brushstrokes in the center of the painting.
JonOne included the brushes and paint— which he used to create the work—to give insight into his process. They were not, as the couple believed, an invitation to interact with the art. A notice was on display cautioning visitors not to touch the objects or painting. The pair allegedly didn’t see the guidelines.
Experts say the work can be restored, but some wonder if JonOne should remove the marks at all. At first, the defacement shocked the artist. But since the couple added their own touches, the work has received a surge of attention. More people are viewing and taking selfies with it, and it’s become the focus of debates about interactive art and authorship (who creates a work). With all the new buzz around his art and career, JonOne now suggests there is “strength” in the couple’s contribution to his painting.