Strange Stories: Cracked Van Gogh

Strange Stories: Cracked Van Gogh

We discuss the accidental-to-intentional damage of artwork by museumgoers and social or political protestors from Italy to Paris. We primarily focus on Nicola Bolla’s Van Gogh-inspired, Swarovski crystal-encrusted chair in the Palazzo Maffei in Verona.  CW | TW: This episode discusses the accidental to intentional destruction of private property or ownership. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Tik Tok: @severedpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@severedpodcast] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources News Clip:  Tourist Breaks Nicola Bolla’s ‘Van Gogh’ Chair By Sitting On It [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knoh5VDmFY0] (ABC 7 Chicago) CCTV Footage: “Moment Tourist Shatters Crystal-Coated Chair Artwork in Museum” [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8D227FIDo8Q] (YouTube Short) Museum: Palazzo Maffei [https://palazzomaffeiverona.com/en/] (palazzomaffeiverona.com [http://palazzomaffeiverona.com]) Artsy Profile: Nicola Bolla [https://www.artsy.net/artist/nicola-bolla] (Artsy; artsy.net [http://artsy.net]) HENI Profile: Nicola Bolla [https://heni.com/news?artist=Nicola%20Bolla] (HENI; heni.com [http://heni.com]) Van Gogh’s Chair Profile: Van Gogh’s Chair Portrait [https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/vincent-van-gogh-van-gogh-s-chair] (The National Gallery; nationalgallery.org.uk [http://nationalgallery.org.uk]) Article: “Visitors Break Crystal Chair in Sit-and-Run at Italian Museum” [https://archive.ph/B3wjo] by Claire Moses (NYT; nytimes.com [http://nytimes.com]) Article: “Visitor Smashes Crystal-Covered ‘Van Gogh’ Chair At Italian Museum” [https://www.artforum.com/news/visitor-smash-crystal-covered-van-gogh-chair-italian-museum-1234732492/] by News Desk (ArtForum; artforum.com [http://artforum.com]) Article: “Museum’s Plea After Couple Break Crystal-Covered Chair” [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn05dd4pz0jo] by Joshua Cheetham (BBC; bbc.com [http://bbc.com]) Article: “Museumgoers Accidentally Break Fragile Crystal-Covered Chair Inspired by Vincent van Gogh Painting” [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/museumgoers-accidentally-break-fragile-crystal-covered-chair-inspired-by-vincent-van-gogh-painting-180986842/] by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org [http://smithsonian.org]) Article: “Hours After the Protesters Who Threw Soup at a Van Gogh Were Sentenced, Three More Activists Repeated the Stunt” [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hours-after-the-protesters-who-thew-soup-at-a-van-gogh-were-sentenced-three-more-activists-repeated-the-stunt-180985160/?itm_source=related-content&itm_medium=parsely-api] by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org [http://smithsonian.org]) Article: “Climate Activists Throw Soup at the ‘Mona Lisa’” [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/climate-activists-throw-soup-mona-lisa-leonardo-da-vinci-180983677/?itm_source=related-content&itm_medium=parsely-api] by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org [http://smithsonian.org]) Article: “Museumgoer Posing for Photo Stumbles Into Portrait of Medici Prince, Damaging the Historic Painting” [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/museumgoer-posing-for-photo-stumbles-into-portrait-of-medici-prince-damaging-historic-painting-180986891/?itm_source=related-content&itm_medium=parsely-api] by Aurora Martinez (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org [http://smithsonian.org]) Article: “Museum’s CCTV Shows Moment Visitor Broke Artwork By Sitting On It” [https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/16/travel/museum-tourist-breaks-van-gogh-chair-scli-intl] by Billy Stockwell (CNN; cnn.com [http://cnn.com]) Article: “Tourists Break ‘Van Gogh’Chair, By Nicola Bolla, By Sitting On It” [https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-tourists-break-van-gogh-chair-nicola-bolla-sitting] by Maxwell Rabb (Artsy; Artsy.net [http://artsy.net])

Strange Stories: Roamin' Holiday

We discuss the 47-year-old American tourist who impaled himself on the spiked gates outside the Colosseum in the Palazzo di Colosseo in Rome. This ancient arena draws millions of tourists per year, who, unfortunately, deface the landmark with either their body or their carved initials. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic medical details, including bodily injury and stitches. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Tik Tok: @severedpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@severedpodcast] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Royalty-Free Music: ⁠"Italian Country Music"⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHsIqaHb_AA] by Lurè dill'asprumunti (The King of the Aspromonte / Giuseppe Musolino) via Syncphphpax News Clip: Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NjSwXF0vG0] (ABC 7 Eyewitness News) Article: “American Tourist Impaled on Colosseum Fence for 20 Minutes” [https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2025/05/05/american-tourist-impaled-coliseum-fence-rescue-possible-selfie-attempt/] by Lois M. Collins (Desert News; deseret.com [http://deseret.com]) Article: “Rome: Man Climbs Over Colosseum Gates But Falls and Is Impaled By Bars, Shocking Dozens of Tourists” [https://www.ilmessaggero.it/roma/centro_storico/turista_infilzato_cancello_colosseo_scavalca_cosa_e_successo-8813470.html] by Marco De Risi (Il Messaggero; ilmessaggero.it [http://ilmessaggero.it]) Article: “American Tourist Climbs Over Fence at Colosseum, Impales Himself on Spike” [https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-05-05/american-tourist-impales-himself-on-spike-at-colosseum-left-dangling-in-excruciating-pain] by Clara Harter (Los Angeles Times; latimes.com [http://latimes.com]) Article: “Tourist Horrifically Impaled While Climbing Spiked Fence at Colosseum to Take a Photo: Reports” [https://people.com/american-tourist-impaled-colosseum-spiked-fence-selfie-rome-11728227] by Mona Thomas (People; people.com [http://people.com]) Article: “More Tourists Caught Defacing Rome’s Ancient Colosseum” [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/rome-colosseum-viral-vandals-scli-intl/index.html] by Jack Guy and Sharon Bratihwaite (CNN; cnn.com [http://cnn.com]) Travel Blog Post: “Which is the Ideal Colosseum Entrance? Sperone Valadier or the Stern Gate?” [https://www.headout.com/blog/colosseum-entrances/] via HeadOut Blog Travel Blog Post: “Colosseum Bag Policy: Backpack Rules for Your Visit” [https://qeepl.com/en/blog/first-time-at-colosseum-rules-and-information] via Queepl (qeepl.com [http://qeepl.com]) Medical Reference: Lumbosacral Region of the Spine [https://www.nyp.org/healthlibrary/multimedia/lumbosacral-region-of-the-spine-lower-back] via NY Presbyterian Hospital (nyp.org [http://nyp.org])

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 4

We timeline the night of Kathleen Peterson’s death, reexamine autopsy details, discuss their relationship/marital issues, and conclude with the owl and our own theories about whether Michael Peterson was involved in his wife’s death. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scenes and autopsy details, bloody imagery, potential signs of domestic violence, inferred child neglect and/or child abuse, violence towards an animal, and a barred owl. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Book: Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (2005) Book: Death by Talons by Tiddy Smith (2023) Autopsy Report: Kathleen Hunt Peterson [https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Other/peterson,%20kathleen_report.pdf] via AutopsyFiles.org [http://autopsyfiles.org] Article: “Subarachnoid Hemorrhage” [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/subarachnoid-hemorrhage/symptoms-causes/syc-20361009] via Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org [http://mayoclinic.org]) Article: “Investigation of Injuries Sustained From Falls Down Stairs” [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X23000793] by Christiana Legaspi, Tyler Hickey, Michael Pickup, Yi Han via NIH (Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Vo. 98, August 2023) Article: “Scalp Lacerations” by Abdulaziz and Mohammed Madadin via StatePearls; NIH/NLM (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Article: “‘Death by Talons’ Makes an Unconvincing Case for the Owl Theory” [https://indyweek.com/news/culture/owl-theory-staircase-peterson-durham/] by Mark I. Pinsky (IndyWeek; indyweek.com [http://indyweek.com]) Article: “No, Barred Owls Are Not Trying to Kill You” [https://www.audubon.org/news/no-barred-owls-are-not-trying-kill-you] by Becca Cudmore (Audubon Society; audubon.org [http://audubon.org])

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 3

We discuss the blowpoke returneth, verdict, and Michael Peterson’s eight-year sentence, followed by an Alford Schmalford plea. This concludes our 13-episode odyssey into the Netflix docuseries.  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 2

We resume our deep-dive into the 13-part Netflix docuseries The Staircase. We share insights about Elizabeth Ratliff’s death, Kathleen’s autopsy findings, Michael’s infidelities (redux), and the blowpoke (not a euphemism in this case, just a fireplace poker you can, apparently, blow).  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix Article: “Cerebral Hemorrhage” [https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/cerebral-hemorrhage/] via UTHealth Houston Neurosciences (med.uth.edu [http://med.uth.edu]) Article: “Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Stroke in an Exhumed Brain After Three Years of Burial in a Deep Grave” [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22803815/] by Bennet Omalu, Jennifer Hammers, Todd Luckasvic via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; 57(6); pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov [http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov]) Article:  “Forensic Autopsy” [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539901/#:~:text=Introduction,of%20the%20evidence%2Dgathering%20process.] by Ritesh G. Menezes and Francis N. Monteiro via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Peterson Emails: “Strange Than Friction” [https://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_mp_ymca.html] via Vance Holmes (vanceholmes.com [http://vanceholmes.com])