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“The Sunflowers” is one of the most emblematic works of Vincent van Gogh and is valued at 84.2 million dollars.
Activists from “Just Stop Oil” argued that historical works are more important than environmental actions.
The moment when environmentalists threw tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” went viral around the world, generating a debate between internet users who declared themselves for or against the “radical” demonstration demanding the British Government to put an end to new oil and gas extraction projects.
Two activists from “Just Stop Oil” entered this Friday National Gallery and they threw two cans of Heinz soup on the historical canvas, which, thanks to its protection by glass, only suffered “minor damage”.
Today, the work painted in 1888 by the Dutch impressionist master, was cleaned and relocated in its place; however, it left several unknowns and discontent among politicians, artists, public figures, art followers and many more.
In fact, one survey conducted by Merca2.0, to more than 800 people, reveals that people considered this viral act a means of vandalism rather than a valid means of protest to make their request heard. 49 percent rejected the attempt to destroy one of Van Gogh’s most emblematic works; 37 percent considered it a historic attack on art and the heritage of humanity; 9 percent stressed that the activists did not harm anyone; and only 5 percent think that this could boost the environmental movement.
“It’s super-produced, high-impact marketing…”, Abraham Eleno
“Option 1 and 3, together”, Edward T.
This same social perception is reflected in the digital media trend, where the conversation has not ceased to be a trending topic.
Whatever these activists want, I want the opposite.
It does not matter that.pic.twitter.com/QBns4ViBiO
– Chumel Torres (@ChumelTorres) October 14, 2022
People are worried about the painting. Concerned about the Van Gogh. Nobody understood the action of the activists. Ergo, there was no activism, just the vandalism of a masterpiece.
– Patrizia Aymerich (@Patifini) October 14, 2022
People who defend Van Gogh’s sunflowers look the same as those who defend monuments and walls 💀 and then saying that they are _not shapes_ omfg
– Marthita🥀 (@MarthitaDeAnda) October 14, 2022
Now read:
Environmentalists Throw Heinz Tomato Soup on Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
“You did a tribute to Van Gogh”; prepare dessert and without looking for it he made art
MONET & Friends replace the Van Gogh Alive! in Monument to the Mother