Women Taking Selfie Damage Goya, Dali Paintings in Russia
It seems like tourists will do anything to get the perfect selfie these days. At an exhibition at the Main Avenue Cultural Center in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, Russia, an over-zealous selfie-taker and two accomplices accidentally knocked over a display containing paintings by Francisco Goya and Salvador Dali. Turns out those "no-selfie zones" medical researchers are pushing for might come in handy for more than just a safety precaution.
Video footage of the incident shows two of the selfie-taking party in front of the Goya/Dali display, one standing behind it with her phone in selfie-position after the display had fallen over. Both paintings, according to TASS, are currently being examined by specialists for damage. The Goya painting sustained damages to its frame and protective glass. "As far as Dali’s artwork is concerned, apart from shattered frame and protective glass, it also suffered damage to the picture itself," a culture center employee said.
Russian authorities have since identified the three women that caused the incident as part of a tour group from Chelyabinsk. As of now, the city of Yekaterinburg does not plan on opening a criminal case against the women, CNN reports. However, the deputy director of the cultural center has requested justice for the paintings in a written statement to the police.
The exhibit, despite the damages, is continuing on its normal schedule.
