A French artist who daubed a dripping, black Chanel logo on the outer wall of Chater House above the window of a Giorgio Armani boutique disagreed with prosecutors who said that part of the facade must be replaced at a cost of HK$6.7 million.
Christophe Schwarz, who goes by the name Zevs, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage before acting Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai in Eastern Court yesterday.
A professional cleaner hired by Giorgio Armani Hong Kong to remove the Chanel logo was unable to wash it off, prosecutors told the court. The affected facade must be replaced at an estimated cost of HK$6,746,000. VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
The 31-year-old graffiti artist expressed surprise at the cost and called it "surrealistic". He had taken special care to use children's water-based paint that was easy to wash off. He had painted on more delicate surfaces in other cities and been able to remove his works, he said.
The court will tomorrow hear a police officer, an appraiser and a cleaner give evidence on the damage.
From Tuesday, July 14, 2009:
French graffiti artist Zevs – known for "liquidating" famous logos by pouring paint over them – was arrested early yesterday after a Chanel logo on the façade of a Central building received the same treatment.
He was one of three people arrested in connection with the incident at Chater House about 3.30 am. Police did not name the three, saying only that they were a 32-year-old Western visitor and two Hong Kong residents aged 27 and 26.
Dominique Perregaux, owner of Arts Statements Gallery, who invited Zevs, confirmed he had been arrested.
A police spokeswoman said a man called the emergency hotline shortly before 3.30am after he saw a man get out of a light goods vehicle parked near the building and paint graffiti on the wall. "Police went to the scene after receiving the call. Officers found the vehicle and arrested three men inside for alleged vandalism," the spokeswoman said.
Speaking from Singapore, Mr Perregaux said his assistants called him about 4am. "They were with Zevs. I have not been able to reach them since. I am trying to get hold of them."
Mr Perregaux said he did not understand why police had arrested the artist. "I do not think it is a big deal. After all, he has performed such art forms in many places before, in Berlin, in New York and Paris," he said, adding that Zevs had used water paint, which could easily be removed.
