"Piss Christ" art piece attacked in France

PARIS — A French modern art museum says assailants used a hammer to destroy a controversial photograph of a crucifix bathed in urine.

The Collection Lambert in Avignon says three guards were also "attacked and threatened."

It was unclear whether the guards were injured.

The Collection Lambert said in a statement Monday that the attackers targeted American artist Andres Serrano's works "Immersion (Piss Christ)" and "The Church."

Serrano made the first work by placing a crucifix in urine and blood, and it has drawn criticism in the past from some Christian groups.

The museum says it will reopen Tuesday, with the destroyed works on display so that the public can view the damage. The museum closed early Saturday because of a protest of young Christian activists.