The art exhibit between the Hopkins Center and Wilson Hall was vandalized on Sunday evening by unknown vandals who allegedly rolled one of the exhibits off its anchor causing it to smash, according to Hanover Police.
The vandals rolled the art piece known as "Street Ball" off its anchor around 8:30 p.m. This is the second time in over a week that the art exhibit has been vandalized.
The ball rolled down the incline between the Hop and the Hood Museum of Art towards Fowler Gate, which connects the two buildings, said Hood Public Relations Coordinator Christine Crabb.
The ball then smashed into some concrete pillars and was "destroyed," Crabb said.
After this latest incident, the Field Ball and Tree Ball were removed from the display.
Hanover Police Detective Daniel Gillis said Michael Wilds, a Safety and Security officer, discovered the vandalism.
Street Ball -- along with Field Ball, Barn Ball and Tree Ball -- designed by artist Lars-Erik Fisk, are part of the Hood Museum's "Post-Pastoral: New Images of the New England Landscape" exhibit.
Street Ball was constructed of plaster and asphalt, Gillis said.
"We are saddened and disappointed by the vandalism that has occurred to Lars-Erik Fisk's Street Ball," the Hood Museum said in a statement. "Not only has there been irreparable damage to the piece, but also to the aesthetic, cultural, and educational value that such works of art bring to the community."
The Hood statement said the museum knew there was a risk in displaying the works outside. The statement said the "College does take specific and appropriate security measures to safeguard its artworks that are displayed in public areas other than the Hood Museum of Art."
However, the College "must balance between its desire to keep such works safe and its desire, as an educational institution, to share them with the Dartmouth community and the wider public," the statement said.
"The College constantly reviews its security procedures for publicly displayed artworks but presently has no plans to drastically change them," the statement said.
Hanover Police are currently investigating the vandalism, Gillis said. Their first priority will be to contact the artist and assess the value of the damage done.
"With an art exhibit it's difficult to tell what the exact value is," Gillis said.
Crabb said the museum had contacted Fisk.
Several weeks ago, someone attempted to roll Field Ball -- which is built of sod -- and caused it to fall apart. Only half of the Field Ball remained. After the first incident, the balls were all anchored down to prevent being rolled.