One of the large-scale, hand-built and glazed ceramic pieces by Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko was destroyed late in the evening on Aug. 12, in what police describe as "a hit and run, property damage incident." The damage is irreparable and a DUI investigation is pending.
It was one of seven pieces titled “Water Plaza.” The sculpture series was selected by the city in 2006 and installed on the plaza south of the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom.
Kaneko, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is known for his large ceramic works and his public art installations can also be found in New York, Tokyo and Chicago.
The popular public artwork was a part of the One Percent for Art Program. Since1986, Kansas City has required "the construction, reconstruction or remodeling of any municipal building to include an amount equal to one percent of the engineer's estimated cost of improvement for the acquisition and installation of works and other aesthetic adornments."
In a statement, Maggie Green, the spokeswoman for KCMO Public Works, says the remaining six ceramic forms and a work located inside the building were not damaged during the incident.
"We are exploring the replacement costs and options for moving forward," Green said in an email.
