“Pink Geysir” Artist Cleared Of All Charges

South Iceland District Court has acquitted the Chilean artist who poured non-toxic pink dye into the Strokkur geyser last year.

Marco Evaristti, who in April 2015 poured a considerable amount of dye into the geyser, making the water pink for its eruption, has been acquitted of breaking Iceland’s nature conservation laws, RÚV reports. The court ruled that Marco had not damaged the environment with his performance.

As such, the state has been ordered to pay for his legal costs, which amount to about half a million ISK.

As reported, Marco told reporters last year that he sees the negative reaction he has received to his project as a positive sign that Icelanders care about the environment.

“I didn’t go to Iceland with the intention of committing vandalism,” Marco posted on Facebook, RÚV reports. “But it always makes me happy when art opens people’s eyes. I can confirm for you all that the colouring I used was a harmless fruit colouring, and Strokkur was back to normal by three o’ clock the same day, when the police came to visit.”

Marco also took a positive outlook on the numerous complaints and criticisms the action received, saying that it proved Icelanders care about the environment.

“After being questioned by police, I was charged with damaging Strokkur,” he added. “But as I believe my harmless intervention didn’t harm Strokkur, I intend to take the case to court.”

When previously questioned about the incident, Marco raised the point that he was trying to convey an environmental message.

“I want people to see what is happening to the environment,” he told reporters. “I want them to realize that the soap they buy in stores harms the environment. All these cars and buses that go to the Geysir area every day damage the environment, not the food colouring I use.”