The time the Royal Academy accidentally accepted an empty pedestal as a worthy artpiece

In 2006, artist David Hensel, a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, submitted a sculpture to the UK's Royal Academy. It was a laughing head made from resin, and he called it 'One Day Closer To Paradise.' Hensel was pleased to learn the sculpture had been accepted for the Royal Academy's summer exhibition. But when he went to a special preview, he saw only the pedestal for his sculpture along with a small piece of wood that was meant to keep the head affixed to it. BBC News reported: 'The Academy said the judging panel assumed the two pieces were separate and decided the support was better.' The head had been rejected and was being stored in the basement.