Instructions:  Conduct research about a recent current event using credible sources. Then, compile what you’ve learned to write your own hard or soft news article. Minimum: 250 words. Feel free to do outside research to support your claims.  Remember to: be objective, include a lead that answers the...

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Destruction is always a crime
It’s hard to believe that some people think vandalizing a piece of artwork is not considered a crime. Damaging artwork is always a crime – here are the facts to prove it.
Recently, a man and woman broke a Nicola Bolla’s Swarovski crystal chair at an Italian Museum. The man and woman waited until they were alone before posing for their photo. Shortly afterwards, the man accidentally sat back into the chair, breaking it. The woman helped him up and rushed him out of the room in haste, likely because they were afraid of being caught.
This is a crime because it is an act of vandalism or property damage, which are considered crimes. The crystal chair is considered a piece of art. The man and woman broke the chair, which is vandalizing a piece of art. Breaking or damaging a museum piece or art can lead to criminal charges. Museums typically have insurance to cover the damage done, but they may also press charges if the damage is malicious. Palazzo Maffei described the crime as “every museum’s nightmare.” The artist, Nicola Bolla, told the Italian magazine “Fanpage,” that “it was an idiotic thing to do.” The couple could have at least stayed and apologized instead of rushing out. It is mind-blowing how some people would just hide from consequences, knowing what they did was wrong.
Some people may believe that breaking a crystal chair is art, because it shows that something which seems solid and strong can also be easily shattered. On the other hand, the tourists escaping from what they did wrong shows how they knew instantly that they made a mistake.
One way to try to prevent these situations from occurring is to teach young children to acknowledge and accept their mistakes. That way, they will grow up knowing that they should not run away from their mistakes.
References:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/16/palazzo-maffei-verona-italian-museum-police-tourists-van-gogh-chair
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/man-sits-on-and-breaks-crystal-encrusted-van-gogh-chair-in-italian-museum-before-fleeing-1234745181/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/06/17/nicola-bolla-van-gogh-chair-broken-museum/84239124007/

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Annabelle Jia