LONDON. Four men are facing charges in connection with the audacious theft of an 18-carat gold toilet, titled ‘America,’ from Blenheim Palace in England, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The valuable artwork, created by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan as a satirical commentary on excessive wealth, disappeared overnight from the art installation at Blenheim Palace in September 2019.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Monday that criminal charges, including burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property, have been authorized against four men aged 35 to 39. Although seven individuals were initially arrested in connection with the heist, these are the first charges brought, four years after the toilet’s disappearance. The artwork remains missing.
Valued at £4.8 million ($5.95 million), the fully functional golden toilet was a unique attraction for visitors, who could book three-minute appointments to use it. Its removal, however, caused significant damage and flooding to the 18th-century palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its valuable art and furniture.
Originally installed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York before its exhibition at Blenheim Palace, the toilet was described as being “cast in 18-carat gold” and invited viewers to experience “unprecedented intimacy with a work of art” by using it privately.
Thames Valley Police, investigating the theft, expressed doubts about recovering the toilet in 2021. Matthew Barber, the police and crime commissioner, speculated on the challenges, stating, “Will we ever see that toilet again? Personally, I wonder if it’s in the shape of a toilet.” The four suspects are scheduled to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Nov. 28, according to prosecutors.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
