Two climate activists hurled soup Sunday at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system. This came amid protests by French farmers against several issues, including low wages.
In a video posted on social media, two women with the words “FOOD RIPOSTE” written on their t-shirts could be seen passing under a security barrier to get closer to the painting and throwing soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.
“What’s the most important thing?” they shouted. “Art, or right to a healthy and sustainable food?”
“Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work,” they added.
The paintings are behind glass, these people know they are behind glass. They’re not actually trying to destroy art, this is just to get publicity.
But the media I’ve seen spins it as an attempt to destroy art, and that’s putting the focus on the action instead of their cause.
I understand they are not trying to destroy it. That’s not really my point. My point is that if they want to do this form of protest and get support for their cause, they should do it against something that represents the government, not the people.
You can take tours of the Palais de l’Élysée, Macron’s residence. There is plenty of artwork there. I would guess at least some of it was behind glass.
Doesn’t that seem like a better place to throw soup?
Sure, but this is where the publicity is.
To whom? To the world? Maybe. But they’re trying to get the attention of the people of France and get their support. Attacking the center of power makes a lot more sense, at least to me.