A university in the US has been forced to remove one of its landmark sculptures after students began using it to imitate Miley Cyrus's new music video. Prompted by concerns about safety and the installation's structural integrity, officials at Grand Valley State University in Michigan took down its bifilar pendulum following the antics of a string of nude ball-riders.

Designed by Dale Eldred, Grand Valley's giant pendulum has been in place for almost two decades; swinging on ithas been a rite of passage for a generation of students. But over the past week, the campus attraction has gained a new infamy: inspired by Cyrus's video for Wrecking Ball, the sculpture attracted a parade of nude pranksters.

"It's given us a few chuckles," admitted Tim Thimmesch, associate vice-president for facilities services, in an interview with CBS. But with the new explosion of interest, there are questions about the "safety and structural integrity of the current installation and site".

Officials were obliged to remove the sculpture for investigation and review; it's been "put into storage for now", Thimmesch said.

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On Tuesday night, a group of students gathered at the pendulum's former site, outside the Padnos hall of science, to protest about its absence. The demonstrators waved cellphones in the air and sang the lyrics to Wrecking Ball. Officials do not appear to have been moved.

"It's just college kids having fun," one student, Rya Northrop, told the Grand Rapids Press. "It's funny. I think it's hilarious."

But Thimmesch and other university officials just seem to be waiting for Miley's 15 minutes of fame to blow over. Looking to the future, he said: "[I hope] the pendulum can be reinstalled at that location or we can find another suitable location on campus so people can enjoy it as a piece of art and stay safe."

Cyrus's new album, Bangerz, is out on 8 October.