LONDON—Climate change protesters across Europe have spent months glued to the frames of famous paintings in a series of high-profile stunts.
In Britain, activists are attached to about half a dozen masterpieces, including John Constable’s “The Hay Wain.” In Germany, protesters Works such as Rubens’ “Innocent Massacre” It hangs in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. in Italy, Uffizi Gallery in Florence,and vatican museums It is targeted.
Now, protesters in London have found a new way to draw attention to their cause. I threw a can of tomato soup at the masterpiece.
Shortly after 11am on Friday, two members just turn off the oil, a group seeking to stop oil and gas extraction in the UK entered room 43 of the National Gallery in London, opened two cans of Heinz Cream of tomato soup, and opened a treasure trove of Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’. threw in one. museum collection. This is one of his six extant images of sunflowers that Van Gogh made in his 1888 and his 1889.
As a thick orange liquid dripped onto the glass that protected the painting, the two smeared their hands with glue to attach it to the wall below.in the video of events posted online, gallery visitors can be heard to say, “Oh my God!” and seek safety. One of her activists will give a speech and ask visitors “Are you more concerned with protecting paintings or protecting the planet and its people?”
Within minutes, the stunt gained worldwide attention, with many social media users expressing concern over the state of the painting. However, the National Gallery said in an email that there was no damage to the work other than “minor damage to the frame.” The activist was arrested, the statement added.
Just Stop Oil spokesman Mel Carrington said in a telephone interview that the group’s intention was to generate publicity and debate about the climate crisis and the actions needed to stop it.
She said Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” had nothing to do with climate change. It’s simply an ‘iconic painting by an iconic painter’ and attacks on it generate headlines. But the soup choice was more iconic. Instead of helping ordinary people deal with the “cost of living crisis,” she added.
Carrington said the activists had made sure the piece was covered in glaze beforehand, so the splashed soup wouldn’t do any damage and could be easily wiped away. Oil is planning further actions, she added.