Keelung's marine museum to retire art installation beloved by Potterheads

Keelung, Aug. 28 (CNA) The National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) in Keelung said it will retire a popular eco-themed art installation of giant brooms that became a photo hotspot for "Harry Potter" fans.

The installation, "A Good Blow of Brooms!," was created in 2016 by French artist Patrick Demazeau during a three-week residency. Although intended to promote environmental awareness, the broom sculptures gained unexpected fame among "Potterheads" because of their link to the magical series.

The NMMST said in a press release that only nine of the original 19 brooms remain at its Eco Park, also known as Badouzi Chaojing Park, after years of seaside erosion and repeated typhoon damage. It added that the scarcity of the specific bamboo used, along with destruction caused by Typhoon Podul, led to the decision to retire the work.

Rather than repair it further, NMMST said it will let the installation naturally decay into the landscape. It encouraged visitors to take photos with the remaining brooms while they last.