Rodin string art to be fixed

Rodin string art to be fixed

Artist Cornelia Parker took a week to drape string over the figures

An artist has pledged to restore one mile of string she wrapped around Rodin's sculpture The Kiss after it was cut.

The classic marble sculpture had been draped in string by Turner Prize-nominated artist Cornelia Parker for an exhibition at the Tate Britain.

But police were called to the London gallery at about 1230 GMT on Saturday to find the string had been cut.

Asked if her work would be restored, Ms Parker told The Times: "Oh yes, don't worry. It will be repaired."

The 1886 sculpture itself was not thought to have been damaged in the attack although conservators are examining it.

A Tate spokesman said: "We believe that a man accompanied by a group of people including a photographer attacked the exhibit, damaging the string."

'Exploitation'

Ms Parker's addition to the sculpture was supposed to represent the claustrophobic nature of relationships.

The artist originally spent almost a week wrapping string around the sculpture. It covered the couple's faces and was draped around their bodies.

Entitled The Distance: A Kiss With Added String, it was praised by many critics when it went on display in February, but one condemned it as an "exploitation" and "abuse" of the Rodin.

The sculpture was due to be on display at the Tate Britain, along with the works of 23 other modern artists, until the end of May as part of the Days Like These exhibition.

A 36-year-old man from Notting Hill, London, was arrested for criminal damage and released on bail on Sunday pending further inquiries.