Trying to Understand the Motivation of Vandals

According to an article by Ted Mann in the August 24-25, 2013 issue of the Wall Street Journal (“Ruined After Sandy, Subway Art Is Saved”), Bill Brand’s “Masstransiscope,” a 33-year old zoetrope-like art installation in an abandoned subway station that can be viewed by passengers on the B and Q trains as they pass by, has been restored. It was vandalized in October 2012 when the New York City subway system was shut down in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. I am trying to understand the motivation of the vandals who had to expend great effort to get to the work and damage it. How do we get people to feel that public art is there for their benefit and thus get them to protect it rather than damage it? (Read more here)