Ineffective activism: Damaging art will not help to fix climate change

What did the Mona Lisa ever do to deserve getting pie smeared all over it? Or van Gogh’s Sunflowers with cans of soup?

       If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s the rundown: Recently, all over the world, some climate activists have been targeting famous pieces of art, such as Monet’s Grainstacks, and throwing random canned foods (or pie, in the case of the Mona Lisa) while super-gluing themselves to the walls underneath the paintings. Then, they begin to yell about climate change and shame everyone in the museum for paying more attention to art than our dying planet.

     Now, don’t get me wrong; I do think that climate change is a subject that needs to be discussed. Dangerous droughts have been causing major damage in California over the past few years. Flooding, due to rising temperatures and erosion, has been at record-breaking rates all over the world, like in South Korea and Afghanistan. People are being killed because of this issue, and that’s not a good sign for the planet and the well-being of humanity.

     However, there’s a line between drawing attention to something important and pure stupidity. Throwing things at priceless, historical objects isn’t going to make people more aware of climate change. Instead, they’re going to be paying attention to whoever was dense enough to glue themselves to a wall while having mashed potatoes dripping on them until they’re eventually arrested.

     Ironically enough, the activists are not even hitting the actual art. The most damage that has been done, according to the Smithsonian Magazine, has been inflicted on the frames of the art. The paintings themselves are covered by glass panels.

          Protesting in this way is not going to make people suddenly care about climate change, and it’s not going to bring the attention that these activists are looking for. Sure, it may get people talking, but it won’t be about the subject matter itself; people will just be talking about the art. In some cases, they might even turn on climate activists themselves.

      They might think, “Well, even though it’s not doing damage, it will get my family and friends talking!”

      Yes, they’ll be talking.

      Talking about how to get the activist bailed out of jail since they got themselves arrested.

      There are better ways to protest than putting yourself and history at risk. For example, people have the right to peaceful assembly in many countries. Why not take advantage of that? Stage a sit-in! Send a petition to a government official! Just don’t make yourself and the cause you’re fighting for look stupid. That’s not why you’re protesting. You’re protesting in order to gain support, not to push people away.

     Think before you protest, and think about the consequences of your actions.