Thieves steal 200 Mozart figurines, prompting Salzburg exhibit closure

More than 200 gold-colored figurines of Mozart have been stolen from a public art installation in Salzburg, leading organizers to end the exhibition early. The theft occurred at the Mirabell Garden, where 210 of the 320 figures created for the display have vanished. This incident forced a premature conclusion to a project celebrating the 270th anniversary of the composer's birth in his native city.

The Mozarteum Foundation, which oversaw the installation, had intended to showcase the figures throughout summer. However, they had only a few replacements available, not enough to compensate for the significant loss. The figures, made from polymer and depicting Mozart alongside his dog Pimperl, are a nod to the composer’s everyday life. With the manufacturer currently on summer holiday, there is no immediate plan to replace the stolen items.

Ottmar Hörl, the German conceptual artist behind the exhibit, expressed his disappointment, stating that he suspected the theft was organized and likely took place after hours. He described the situation as "a bit cheeky," emphasizing that the figures are not easily taken by casual tourists. The loss is estimated at roughly €20,000, given that Hörl planned to sell each figure for around €90 after the exhibition.

Despite the setback, some figures will remain on display at the Mozarteum and Mozart’s birthplace until the end of August. Hörl noted that public art installations are often vulnerable to theft and damage. He previously faced a similar situation with a display in Bayreuth, where 100 figures of composer Richard Wagner disappeared. "That’s just the nature of public space," he said, acknowledging the risks artists face when their work is exposed to the public.