The artwork "Death and Life" by Gustav Klimt became the object of a protest by the so-called "last generation," who put "non-toxic fake oil" on it and hung it at the Leopold Museum.
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| [Death and Life by Gustav Klimt at Leopold Museum in Austrian capital Vienna/ Die Presse] |
Only a few days ago, an activist from the so-called "last generation" was questioned on oe24.tv if pieces of art would be the focus of a protest action in Vienna. Now, activists in Vienna's Leopold Museum have carried out one: two activists poured a black, oily liquid onto Gustav Klimt's artwork "Death and Life" and then glued themselves there. This was announced in a broadcast by the previous generation.
The substance, according to activist Florian Wagner, is "non-toxic fake oil" delivered to the museum in a hot water bottle. The protest aims to draw attention to the last generation's demands, which include "reasonable savings measures - such as 100 km/h on the highway - instead of new oil and gas drilling, and a stop to dirty sponsorship deals with the fossil sector."
The artwork was unharmed, but the safety frame, glass, wall, and floor were. Climatic activists' worries are genuine, according to Hans-Peter Wipplinger, director of the Leopold Museum, "but attacking works of art is clearly the incorrect method to achieve the stated aim of averting the expected climate collapse." Museums are institutions that preserve history and are good examples of sustainability. He urged the "final generation" to find other means to express their concerns.
On the occasion of Leopoldi Day, admission to the Leopold Museum was free, and OMV served as a sponsor. Despite strict procedures, such as bag checks, the activists snuck the liquid in the hot-water bottle under their garments inside the museum. The police and emergency services arrived quickly and captured the activists' data, according to the museum.
Along with Wagner, the pupil Lorenz Trattner has remained. He attacks fossil businesses like OMV for still trying to project a positive image by financing art and culture.
Museumsbund appealed to activists
In the meanwhile, the Museumsbund, an umbrella organization that works for all Austrian museums, has sent an open letter to the past generation: It "makes an urgent plea to all climate activists, especially those of the previous generation, to desist from anything that endangers the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as the function of museums as sites of instruction and learning," according to the letter. Access restrictions are being tightened. "Visitors should be allowed to visit museums without severe access restrictions or widespread distrust," the museum organization said.
Andrea Mayer (Greens), Secretary of State for Culture, expressed sympathy for the protestors' "concerns as well as despair." "But I don't believe that actions like these are effective because the question arises as to whether they lead to more misunderstanding rather than more awareness of the climate catastrophe." And: "In my opinion, accepting the risk of irreversible damage to works of art is the wrong way to accept the risk of irreversible damage to works of art. Art and culture are allies, not opponents, in the fight against the climate catastrophe."
VP State Secretary Claudia Plakolm considers activities like those at the Leopold Museum or street stickers to be "disrespectful on many levels." Many people must be inspired to defend the environment, yet their efforts will create "chaos."
No artwork damaged so far
Similar protest acts have already targeted the Louvre's "Mona Lisa," Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," and works by Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Francisco de Goya. Because all of the afflicted artworks were protected by glass, they were unharmed.
The activists hope that their acts will highlight the importance of taking action to combat global warming. It is also criticized that precious works of art are being attacked in this manner.