The work of the famous artist Chen Songqing was an installation where the mirror was covered with a layer of dust and mounted on a wooden panel. The dust in this piece symbolized "cultural memory, forgotten memories, and the passage of time," while the bright spot on the surface was interpreted as a sign of human presence and interaction.
Photo from the internet. The janitor accidentally destroyed the art object, mistaking it for a dirty mirror
However, believing the mirror to be dirty, the janitor cleaned it with toilet paper, which led to the loss of all the meaning of the work. It is now impossible to restore the original dusty appearance of the piece.
Museum staff have officially apologized to the artist and are currently considering the possibility of compensation for the damage caused.
