7. Tree – Paul McCarthy
Now for a controversial Christmas; the sculpture entitled ‘Tree’ by US artist Paul McCarthy was displayed at the Place Vendome in Paris, France – a massive, green, inflatable sculpture – and raised a storm of protest for its resemblance to a sex toy, with the artist even being attacked in the street, after being slapped by an irate Parisian. When McCarthy went to view the work on display at Place Vendome, a man slapped his face before running away. The stranger, apparently, slapped the artist three times, then shouted that he was not French and that his work had “no business being on the square”. McCarthy was unhurt but left shocked and disturbed by the attack. The artwork was later vandalised and subsequently removed.