To think this is awful? (Just Stop Oil protesters throwing soup over Van Gogh painting)

[TheCatsPyjamas1]

Just read that some Just Stop Oil protesters have thrown soup over a Van Gogh painting in the National Gallery in London. AIBU to think this is unacceptable?

I fully support the message of the group (investing in environmentally responsible energy rather than fossil fuels, and helping to make society more equal for everyone), but I find their protest methods are awful and risk alienating people who would otherwise support them.

They keep on doing crazy things, and seem to be escalating their action each time they protest. I don’t really know when or how it’ll end.

But because it will not be profitable, be good for buisness our government, the people in power, do NOTHING

But that's not true is it? We are moving towards a renewable future, but it can't happen overnight, and won't happen any faster by sitting in a road, or throwing paint over a painting. There are very valid arguments to say we should have started sooner, of course, but you can't change history. So what exactly do they think they are achieving?

this

What's Van Gogh ever done to harm the environment? This world was never meant for one as beautiful as yooou

Under no circumstances would I ever agree with behaviour that blocks ambulances.
Ever.

The naked people who glued themselves to the windows of the visitors gallery in Parliament caused no damage for example

The eyesight of those who were witnesses to such a spectacle might disagree.

Such actions do nothing to promote their cause, same as those who targeted a DLR train which runs on electricity which can or is generated from renewable sources.

I am religious, but why not thank the gallery staff rather than God?

I knew a lot about Van Gogh and was really upset when I read this today. He was such a genius and had (they now think) a bipolar condition.

He died thinking nobody valued his art, having sold only one painting. For his work to be disrespected like this is heinous, in my view. All creative endeavours should be respected and cherished. It’s like spitting in his face. Vile vile vile.

How do acts like this help a cause?

It’s just a turn of phrase @Obki

Wouldn't it have been better to have chucked it at a Warhol?

My mistake, this group have been blocking roads. I think stunts like this are more effective as nothing is damaged permanently, no one is hurt and no one comes away frustrated that they were late/couldn't visit someone/an ambulance was delayed (which is getting no one on their side and as I said, puts lives at risk).

And I think their point of 'what needs more protection, art or people' is a very good one. And often comes up as a question of why are we funding this art/theatre/parade etc when the money could be spent on something better.

I thought this was madness at first and then learnt that it was covered in glass so no damage done. It's got us talking and is in the same protest vein as the suffragette that slashed a painting (but again with no actual destruction).

It did make me think about my abhorrence at the thought that it had been destroyed. I literally watched a news report on animal extinction just yesterday with more passivity and that feels wrong now

Excellent

The painting wasn’t ruined but people need to stop focusing on such trivial things and realise that there are far more important things being destroyed every day.

If people cared as much about nature as they did about a silly painting then we wouldn’t be in this mess. And I’m pretty sure that Vincent would have agreed.

Isn’t the sale of art just used to launder money anyway?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · Today 13:38
How did they get the soup in? Last time I went you had to leave large bags in the cloakroom.

I gather they have glued themselves as well. Why can’t we just leave the p/m in situ until they bored or hungry. Then they can Rip themselves free,“

better still, provide other visitors with bags of rotten tomatoes.

It's such a beautiful painting
I was shocked.

The world has gone mad for someone to object to this post.

They should be put in prison until they repay the full cost of restoration of the painting. If they can never do that, then they stay in prison. Letting them off will mean they will absolutely do something similar again, or others will follow suit. I also think when they super glue themselves to road, they should be left to suffer consequences, thirsty, hungry, can't get to toilet etc. Instead police rush around offering them water from bottles, pathetic.

They need stopping before something awful happens. I remember driving my son to the hospital, he was critically I'll by the time we got there and every second counted.

I'm pretty sure I would have driven over them if they were blocking the way, our A&E has one route unless you drive for miles.

How did they even get soup into the museum.

I want to know how much palm oil is in that particular Heinz product just so I can tot up the irony points.

threegoodthings · Today 14:22
Wouldn't it have been better to have chucked it at a Warhol?“

🤣🤣🤣

Mad vandals getting their kicks in a lazy way instead of doing actual lobbying which is hard work.

You know, when you look at successful political pressure groups in history, it’s amazing how few have convinced the public to unite behind them, by attacking paintings. 🤔

Just stop oil. Ok everything in houses nearly all comes from it or a derivative
The paint on the walls, the switches when you turn on the light, your LED light bulb fitting, the shower gel you use this morning and it’s bottle, The milk bottle you used, the margarine tub, the phone you’ve used,Your TV cabinet, the list goes on and on but they never tell us how to re-address the situation and it won’t happen by next Wednesday

It’s possible to care about both. How does destroying (metaphorically) one thing, protect another? It’s so negative.

Why not spend the time and energy on affecting positive change. Campaign, educate, influence.