Two art sculptures valued at $12,000 each – part of a collection of four in an installation called Spirit of the Forest along the Boardman Lake Loop Trail near Oryana – were destroyed in back-to-back days of presumed vandalism. The Traverse City Police Department is still working to determine how the sculptures were damaged and the identity and motivation of the vandal(s). Artists Steve and Dorota Coy tell The Ticker they are saddened by the damage and concerned about the impact it could have on public art in Traverse City, noting that even contentious art should be protected as free expression in the community.

The Traverse City Arts Commission (TCAC) installed the four sculptures – tall blue figures made from cast aluminum that have a humanlike body with a deer head and antlers – earlier this summer as part of a rotating exhibit called Art on the TART. TCAC paid the Coys $4,000 for the loan of their sculptures for two years. Late afternoon Tuesday, the Traverse City Police Department learned of reported damage to one of the sculptures. It was broken off at the ankles, with the figure toppled on the ground. A day later, on Wednesday evening, a second sculpture was found destroyed in nearly identical fashion.

The damage was unusual in that it occurred on a heavily trafficked trail, both times reportedly during daylight hours. It also inflicted significant financial cost: Each destroyed statue is valued at $12,000. City Clerk Benjamin Marentette says the city had insured the artwork and has already begun the process of initiating a claim. That process should help reimburse the Coys for their destroyed work, he says. Authorities, meanwhile, are still trying to determine how the statues were damaged.

“We weren’t able to locate any metal shavings or saw blades or anything else” that would indicate they’d been cut down, according to TCPD Captain Pete Simerson. It’s possible the cuts were neat, however, or that someone leaned on or shoved the statues and toppled them over. “At this point, anything is possible,” Simerson says. “It’s still very fresh.”

The TCPD canvassed the area and is looking for security cameras that might have captured footage of the incidents. Authorities haven’t yet identified any suspects or witnesses, though trail users helped alert city officials to the damaged statues after spotting them. “We talked to people nearby, but no one has seen anything yet,” Simerson says. “We're looking for any type of evidence we can follow up on at this point.” The TCPD plans to step up patrols in the area and may explore other enhanced security measures, according to Simerson.

“We don't want this to happen again,” Simerson says. “It's somebody else's artwork, and we're proud to have it here and display it for everyone to see. Obviously, we don't want people damaging it. If it does happen again, we'll keep stepping up enforcement to hopefully catch the perpetrator.” The level of damage inflicted would already amount to a felony offense, Simerson says, adding that there’s no legal distinction between vandalizing public or private property. “They’re both very serious, and can come with restitution and jail time,” he says.

What’s unclear – to both the TCPD and the Coys – is the motivation behind the damage. The statues generated significant social media debate when they were installed, including from users who called them “Satanic,” “evil,” and “demonic.” The Coys aren’t sure whether that criticism prompted someone to damage the sculptures, or if something else – kids or teens vandalizing the art for kicks, for example – is to blame. But the Michigan-based duo expressed sadness about the damage and responded to criticism about their work in a phone call with The Ticker.

“There’s no intent around Satanism or being demonic,” says Steve Coy. “There are references to mythology, but it’s not intending to represent any current religion.” Dorota Coy calls the artwork “surrealist” and “speculative,” reflecting a possible future co-evolution of man and nature. She adds: “There was a lot of talk (about the sculptures), but that’s what artwork is supposed to do. It’s supposed to spark conversation, educate, give people a new perspective on their views.”

Dorota Coy says that damaging artwork has become a trend that’s not isolated to Traverse City. “There’s a lot of contention, and politics gets in the way of things,” she says. “We always welcome conversation. We’re always happy to talk about what our intent is with our work. We just hope it doesn’t result in damage.” Steve Coy adds: “Or anger or violence of any kind. The hope is we can have an environment where people can be free to express themselves. Art makes the world a better place. I don’t think we would want to see what the world would be like devoid of art.”

Before Traverse City, Spirit of the Forest was displayed in Detroit and Toronto without incident, according to the Coys. Dorota Coy says she doesn’t see the damage here as a “reflection” on Traverse City, rather “one person doing something they shouldn’t have. I’m sure most people would never think to do something like that.” The husband-and-wife team worry, however, that the damage could spook the TCAC and its investment in public art or deter future artists from participating. “That’s the real pain point,” says Steve Coy. “I feel bad for the Traverse City community, especially those who are trying to support and embrace artwork. It’s hard to create artwork, and it’s easy to destroy.”

Despite the Coys’ concerns, Traverse City officials reiterated their commitment to the city’s public arts program. “It's disappointing to see public art damaged, but public art is still such a wonderful part of Traverse City and the TART trail, it's still worth the investment,” says Mayor Amy Shamroe. (She adds that “guessing as to the reason for the damage would just be conjecture at this point and unnecessary.”) While it’s unclear whether the damaged statues can be repaired or replaced – the Coys note that given their size, they may not have the materials or time to redo them – the artists say they’re willing to work with the city again on this or another future project.

Traverse City Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Harry Burkholder, the staff liaison for TCAC, calls the damage “sad” and “unfortunate.” He also says the city stands behind the artwork. “The Arts Commission felt it was a very unique installation, and I think the fact it has sparked discussion and awareness of public art is a positive thing,” he says.

Anyone with information about the damaged Spirit of the Forest sculptures can contact the TCPD at 231-922-4550. Photo credit (middle photo): Karine Pierson.