February 18, 2014 - 11:42 PM
MIAMI - A South Florida artist is apologizing for smashing a vase valued at $1 million that was part of a museum exhibit by noted Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.
Maximo Caminero told the Miami Herald on Tuesday that he had no right to destroy someone else's art.
The vase was one of 16 in an Ai installation at the new Perez Art Museum Miami.
Police said Caminero told them he smashed the vase Sunday to protest the lack of support for local artists rather than international ones.
Caminero cancelled a planned Tuesday news conference and did not respond to telephone messages left by The Associated Press. A note on his studio door said his lawyer advised against commenting.
Caminero is charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, which is a felony.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014