GVSU Will Reinstall Pendulum Sculpture Removed Following Miley Cyrus 'Wrecking Ball' Parodies
ByGrand Valley State University (GVSU) is bringing back its wrecking ball, after removing it following too many Miley Cyrus Imitations.
MLive.com reported in early October that GVSU administrators announced the pendulum art sculpture would likely return to its previous spot and likely have more safety precautions this time. It was removed after too many people swung back and forth on it to imitate Miley Cyrus' music video for "Wrecking Ball." One rider even appeared to be naked.
According to the Associated Press, the sculpture is confirmed to be on the way back to campus. Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president for Facilities Services, said the reinstallation project is expected to be completed by Dec. 6. The sculpture was originally removed because workers noticed the cable supporting the wrecking ball was frayed and now the pendulum is expected to have new safety guidelines.
"The new installation will be representative of a scientific art exhibit and include a reconstructed site that limits access and compliments the original intent of the sculpture," Thimmesch said in a statement.
According to MLive.com, a committee of ten people were tasked with devising a plan for the sculpture's reinstallation. The committee included three students and it held its first meeting at the end of September. Timmesch said at the time repairs would need to include replacing the frayed cable and eye bolt at the top of the pendulum.
Mary Eilleen Lyon, the college's associate vice president for news and information services, said the committee's purpose was always to have the pendulum reinstalled, but in the right way.
"We value student input and look for ways to have learning moments for our students in a positive way," Lyon said about a week after it was removed. "A piece of scientific art is what it really is and our intention was always to reinstall it safely and enhance that scientific aspect. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students to see the process that you go through."