Yekaterinburg says it will keep the giant granite sphere painted by unknown artists to look like a Pokéball

The local authorities in the city of of Yekaterinburg have embraced the viral video game Pokémon in a big way, electing not to repaint a granite sphere located across from the regional government building on the Iset river embankment. The sphere in question was recently painted by unknown artists to look like a giant “Pokéball,” which players of the augmented-reality game Pokémon Go use to catch “Pokémons.” 

“I don't see any harm in it,” Yekaterinburg Mayor Evgeny Roizman told reporters, adding, “People like to play, and this is how they express their emotions. If this art object isn't angering anyone, then let it stay there.”

Yekaterinburg officials say they've yet to receive any complaints about the “art installation.” The mayor noted that the city might simply wait, and remove the red-and-white paint sometime before August 18, when Yekaterinburg celebrates its founding anniversary.