Guerrilla artist dumps balls on Rome's Spanish Steps

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Cecchini claims the colorful cascade was composed of 500,000 balls, many of which ended up bobbing in the Barcaccia Fountain at the base of the steps. This YouTube video shows how his crew transported the balls in massive sacks and how onlookers reacted to the melee.

City officials responded quickly, and soon the area was roped off to begin the cleanup. Maintenance workers used shovels and hoses to clear the balls off the steps and out of the fountain. Many people in the area were able snap photos and gather some of the balls before police responded, and some have already made their way on to Ebay.

Cecchini is responsible for dyeing the waters of the Trevi Fountain in October image:36770:0::0

Cecchini is well-known for dyeing the waters of the Trevi Fountain red in October. The incident, which Cecchini claims was meant to turn this "gray bourgeois society into a triumph of color," did not damage any of the sculptures in the fountain. His latest act of "guerrilla art" aims to make a statement about the political landscape of Italy. He says, "This is an artistic operation which documents through art the problem that we have in Italy. They’re always telling us lies, both the Left and the Right.” The Italian word for ball, "palle," can also mean "untruth".

Cecchini was detained by police following the incident for disturbing the peace, though no word has been released as to whether or not charges will be filed. His stunts thus far have not permanently harmed any of Rome's historic treasures, though police will undoubtedly be watching his future actions.