Yesterday, two activists formed a bond with The Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. In recent times, works of art have also been vilified in other countries. Climate activists recently hit a spoonful of tomato soup, mashed potatoes and glue. Why actually?
What happened to the Mauritshuis?
A man glued his head to Vermeer’s painting. A second man poured some red stuff on him and pinned his hand to the wall. “How do you feel when you see something beautiful being destroyed before your eyes?” he yelled. “Are you feeling furious? Good! Where is that feeling when you see the planet being destroyed before your eyes? The painting is not damaged, because there was a glass plate in front of it. Three people were arrested.
What other actions have there been recently?
On Monday, climate activist Jelle de Graaf glued herself to Jinek’s table. On Sunday, activists threw mashed potatoes on a Monet at Potsdam’s Barberini Museum. Four days ago, protesters smashed a cake on King Charles III’s wax face at Madame Tussauds in London. Two weeks ago, activists poured soup over Van Gogh’s sunflowers at the National Gallery in London. And so there have been more actions in the past few months.
Who is behind this?
The Mauritshuis men wore a t-shirt from the British action group Just Stop Oil. Just like the London soup bouncers. The Potsdam mashers are said to be supporters of the German Letzte Generation (Last Generation) and Jelle de Graaf of Extinction Rebellion.
What they want?
Action groups believe that too little is being done about the climate crisis. They say such actions are necessary to bring attention to this problem. Just Stop Oil focuses mainly on fossil fuels. The group wants the (UK) government to stop issuing oil and gas permits. And that people care as much about preserving the planet as they are about preserving art.
Do these actions work?
Many people are angry about it. But they generate a lot of media attention. And if there is a lot of talk about your action and your message, it can indirectly influence opinions and behaviors. So says Jacquelien van Stekelenburg, professor of social change and conflict at the VU.
Can it also backfire?
Of course, says Van Stekelenburg. According to her, an action works best if there is sympathy for the group and the goal they are pursuing. Those two can be put under pressure if the actions cause irritation and that can take a long time. You cannot tell if this is already the case with these actions. It is still too early for that.
Why are there so many promotions all of a sudden?
According to Van Stekelenburg, new tactics often get a lot of media attention. As a result, and thanks to social media, they are spreading very quickly. And this can inspire other activists to take action as well.
When do protests work best?
If they appeal to the imagination and there is a lot of talk about them. And if activists can tell their story, says Van Stekelenburg. These activists buy time by sticking together.
