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Grant Park Art Installation "The Watch" Damaged

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A new art installation in Grant Park was damaged - apparently overnight - and today pieces that broke off the artwork are still visible on the ground.

Grant Park Art Installation Damaged

Vandals apparently knocked over several of the figures in the art installation "The Watch" by Chicago artist Hebru Brantley - the multi-colored sculptures of school children wearing aviator glasses, were created with the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II in mind.

Pieces of the sculptures were on the ground. The arms of one were broken. And even though the figures had been righted by mid-morning, they still had grass stuck to them.

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The figures are part of "The Watch" by Chicago artist Hebru Brantley (Credit: Steve Miller)

Tourists, like one woman from China, didn't know what to make of the broken figures.

"We stopped here because of the statues. We think it's so cute, so beautiful. And I want to take a photo. But I don't know why people, on purpose, would destroy it. What a shame."

The Thirteen figures are just east of Lake Shore Drive - not far from the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.

In a statement Sunday, the Chicago Park District said, "This morning, Chicago Park District discovered public art sculptures, "The Watch," located east of Lake Shore Drive near Shedd Aquarium, had been vandalized. It is believed the damage occurred late last night. The Chicago Public District is currently investigating the incident and looking to repair the damaged art."

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