This art was too a-peeling: Giant banana sculpture stolen from N.H. town.
'I love this banana. I thought it was one of the most exciting things that's happened in Franconia in a long time,' said one local artist, Alison Dodd, in a video the Artwalk organizers made about the banana's disappearance.
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The same characteristics that made the artwork an instant hit in town may have made it enticing to the thief, according to Lovett.
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'I have to say the banana was very attractive. It was a bright color, and I think we didn't really look at the security of the structure well enough because we never had a problem,' she said. 'We're fairly naive. Now we're rethinking that.'
She said the banana sculpture was particularly vulnerable compared to the other 36 or so artworks on display, most of which are bolted into concrete. It was also lightweight, and it hadn't been secured with wires or locks – the thief simply had to cut through a nylon cord attaching it to the fishing pole, according to Lovett.
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Lovett said she was working on plans for a community garden when she began getting calls from people who were concerned that the banana had gone missing. Then, she said, she rushed to the scene and saw for herself that it had been taken. She informed the police and spoke with the restaurant owner.
'No one knows where the banana is,' she said.
Franconia Police Chief Martin 'Mac' Cashin said his department is investigating the theft, but so far, they don't have any leads or suspects. He said there hasn't been any security footage that has yielded clues about who might have absconded with the banana.
'I'm hoping that this is a senior prank of some sort and I'm hoping that somebody will return it undamaged,' said Cashin.
The artwork was created by Massachusetts-based sculptor and art educator
'The idea of someone trying to smuggle around a giant banana is just objectively hilarious, but of course I am annoyed that the sculpture can't be seen anymore,' he said in a statement.
The banana was valued at $475, according to Lovett.
Members of the public with information about the missing banana can call the Franconia Police Department at 603-823-7025.
'Just want that banana back,' said Lovett.
This article first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday,
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