Theft ends Salzburg mini-Mozart installation early

The theft of 210 miniature Mozart sculptures has forced an art installation in Salzburg’s Mirabell Gardens to close early, ORF reported Wednesday. Only 20 of the original 230 gold-coloured figures remain.

The installation, titled “Mozart – the untameable genius”, was created by German artist Ottmar Hörl and was due to run until the end of August. The remaining figures in the Mirabell Gardens have been secured at the artist’s request, and no replacements will be installed.

The Mozarteum Foundation said Hörl could not have replacement figures made quickly because the manufacturer was on its summer holiday. The installation opened on July 15 as part of events marking Mozart’s 270th birthday in January.

Hörl filed a police complaint for the first time at the end of July after more than half of the sculptures had disappeared. He said the theft of 100 figures represented a financial loss of between 10,600 and 10,700 euros. The sculptures belonged to the artist and were due to be sold after the exhibition.

Each half-metre-high plastic figure was individually cast using a special process available only in Coburg, Germany. The installation also included a figure of the Mozart family’s dog, Pimperl.

The campaign received strong national and international attention, according to Linus Klumpner, managing director of the International Mozarteum Foundation. Parts of the installation can still be seen until the end of August in the Mozarteum garden, with 50 figures, and at the Mozart Residence, with 40 figures.