Activists throw mashed potatoes over famous $110 million Monet painting
Climate change activists have thrown mashed potatoes over a famous $110 million Claude Monet painting. Watch it for yourself:
Two members of the German group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) targeted the valuable piece of artwork, titled 'Les Meules', at Potsdam's Barberini museum today (23 October).
In footage shared on social media, the pair can be seen wearing orange high-vis jackets and approaching the work.
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They then lob two bowls of liquified potato at it before gluing their hands to the floor.
Sharing the video to the group's Twitter account, a spokesperson said: "We make this #Monet the stage and the public the audience.
"If it takes a painting – with #MashedPotatoes or #TomatoSoup thrown at it – to make society remember that the fossil fuel course is killing us all: Then we'll give you #MashedPotatoes on a painting!"
Since the video was posted, the group has come in for some criticism, with many upset by the stunt.
"Even your goal does not legitimise such means," wrote one. "But such means, in the eyes of many, delegitimise your purpose. If climate protection has barbarians like you as friends, it no longer needs enemies."
This comes after Just Stop Oil activists threw soup over a priceless painting by Vincent Van Gogh in the National Gallery.
The activists entered the central London gallery on 14 October and hurled a load of foodstuffs at the painting – the Dutch artist’s iconic ‘Sunflowers’ – then glued themselves to the wall in their latest environmental protest.
After chucking the soup at the painting, one of the protesters then asked the gathered crowd: "What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food?
"More than justice?
"Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting, or the protection of our planet and people?
"The cost-of-living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis."
Just Stop Oil is a number of groups who are committed to pressuring the government into ending new licenses and removing consent for the exploration, production, and development of fossil fuels in the UK.
But while many people support their aim, their methods have left a lot to be desired with some.
Videos shared on social media of Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain activists blocking roads have shown members of the public dragging protesters out of the way.
One woman was unable to get to hospital to see her mum because of the delay caused by campaigners.
In the clip, the woman can be seen pleading with the protesters to get out of her way.
She says: "I need to go to the hospital, please let me pass. This isn't OK... How can you be so selfish?"
Topics: Environment, Art, Viral, Twitter
Dominic Smithers