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Fernando Luis Alvarez was arrested about an hour after "installing" the spoon at 8:30 a.m. Friday and charged with obstruction of free passage and interfering with police, a felony, in front of the 201 Tresser Blvd. corporate headquarters, reported the Hartford Courant.
Alvarez, whose Bedford Street gallery is opening an exhibit on the opioid crisis Friday night, was arrested because the spoon blocked an automatic entrance to the business and because he refused to remove it, the Courant reported.
Stamford police said he may also be charged for the removal and storage of the spoon which is 10-and-half-feet long, the Courant said.
Alvarez told the Courant the sculpture is a statement intended to create a groundswell of outrage against Purdue, which developed OxyContin.
The spoon, named “Purdue,” was created by Boston artist Domenic Esposito, who was present when it was "installed," but was not charged or arrested, the Courant said.
He told the Courant he was inspired to create the sculpture by his brother's drug addiction.
To view a video of the event by Joshua Berman, click here.
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