Fits and Starts is an sculpture by the Brooklyn, New York City artist Marc Swanson, the 2005 vandalism of which at DePauw University created controversy.[1]
Fits and Starts was a life-size sculpture of a deer in mid-leap that was entirely encrusted in rhinestone crystals. It was made of steel and polyurethane foam.[2] The sculpture was installed near DePauw's East College building on 4 November 2005.[2] The artwork combined the influence of his politically conservative father, an Eagle Scout and US Marine, and Swanson's identity as a gay male.[2] The Butler Family Foundation, which "is committed to supporting the acquisition of contemporary sculpture created by emerging artists of promise and established artists of note,"[2] paid US$60 000 to donate the sculpture to DePauw.