College Wrecking Ball Don't Stop

A Michigan university has reinstalled a swinging pendulum sculpture that was causing a commotion on campus after students used it to mimic Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” music video that showed the singer riding on a wrecking ball, naked.

Photo: AP Photo

Grand Valley State University's Eldred Sculpture.

Photos and video began to appear online of Grand Valley State University students parodying the music video – some naked – causing a ruckus among university personnel.

The sculpture was removed in September, officially over safety concerns of a frayed cable. The university recently announced the sculpture would be returned to its location outside of the school of science, along with some new additions.

Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president for Facilities Services, told the Grand Rapids Press a fence will be installed surrounding the sculpture, along with signage describing the scientific and artistic qualities of the piece and warning students not to enter.

“Everybody was very much interested in having the pendulum reinstalled,” Thimmesch said. But “we wanted to do it in a way that promotes the scientific side of it as well as the original intent of the sculpture.”