A pair of climate activists have been arrested in Germany after they threw mashed potatoes on a Claude Monet painting in an attempt to bring attention to the severity of climate change.
The protesters are being investigated for trespassing into the Barberini Museum and for property damage against the “Grainstacks” painting, which is estimated to cost $110 million. (Don’t worry, the painting lies behind a layer of protected glass so it will live to see another day.)
Last Generation, a German climate advocacy group, claimed responsibility for the protest on their Twitter. We’re not sure what art ever did to them, but apparently it’s the only way they can think to get their message across.
“We are in a climate catastrophe. And all you are afraid of is tomato soup or mashed potatoes on a painting,” one of the protesters said in a video of the incident. “This painting is not going to be worth anything if we have to fight over food.”
This is the second time in a month that protestors have gone after art on behalf of climate change. Earlier this month, protestors threw a can of tomato soup on a Vincent Van Gogh painting. (Again, it was protected by glass so the art is fine.) It’s an unusual way to advocate for climate change, but many activists feel like now is the time for extreme measures.
