Prosecutors drop Art Basel graffiti case against artist
Thomas Iser had been accused of damaging a Miami Beach Convention Center window during Miami Art Week.
Law and Crime
Prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor criminal mischief case against Luxembourg performance artist Thomas Iser, who was arrested during Miami Art Week after spray-painting a glass window at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The charge was listed as “nolle pros” and the case was closed on March 23, court records show. A $500 bond was discharged the same day, and a discharge certificate was issued on March 25.
Court records do not state why prosecutors dropped the case.
Artist pleads not guilty in Art Basel Miami Beach graffiti case
The misdemeanor case centers on damage valued at about $400.
Adam Schrader
Iser, 38, had pleaded not guilty in December and demanded a jury trial. The case had been set for trial on March 23, and subpoenas had been issued to witnesses before it was closed, according to the docket.
The charging document alleged that Iser “willfully and maliciously” damaged property of the Miami Beach Convention Center by spray-painting a glass window on December 3. Prosecutors charged him with criminal mischief involving damage of more than $200 but less than $1,000.
Urgent Matter previously reported that police said Iser used chalk-based marking spray to write the phrase “Sorry to disturb art in progress” on the glass. The damage was later estimated at $400, according to a Miami Beach Police arrest affidavit cited in the earlier report.
The incident drew attention after Iser shared a video of the performance and his encounter with police on Instagram. In the footage, police officers were seen holding his daughter as he was detained.
Iser previously described the act as a planned performance rather than vandalism.
Follow along with other art crime stories at Urgent Matter’s art crime tracker.
Members Discussion