Thank you for articulating what I've felt when reading about and seeing the vandalism of artwork in the name of protest. When I read stories like the vandalism of Van Gogh's paintings, I always feel as though there's a huge disconnect between whatever the protesters are protesting and the actual art. I mean, what's the point--aside from getting worldwide attention--of destroying artwork because Big Oil is bad? There's nothing inherently signaling support-for-big-oil in a painting of sunflowers or in Van Gogh's life. (Who knows? He might've agreed with their outlook, if not their actions.) I look forward to reading your next post.
Not at all, Meredith. Thank *you* for reading & commenting. I completely agree with you about the vandalism. There’s little or nothing to connect Van Gogh with Just Stop Oil. I suppose they did it because they thought it would bring them publicity. It did, of course, but not exactly in a good way. I wish I could take credit for the ideas in the article: I just thought Stephen Blackwood had such wise things to say, they bore repeating. I hope you enjoy Wednesday’s newsletter. It is one of my favourites, if only because it’s quite unusual…
Thank you for articulating what I've felt when reading about and seeing the vandalism of artwork in the name of protest. When I read stories like the vandalism of Van Gogh's paintings, I always feel as though there's a huge disconnect between whatever the protesters are protesting and the actual art. I mean, what's the point--aside from getting worldwide attention--of destroying artwork because Big Oil is bad? There's nothing inherently signaling support-for-big-oil in a painting of sunflowers or in Van Gogh's life. (Who knows? He might've agreed with their outlook, if not their actions.) I look forward to reading your next post.
Not at all, Meredith. Thank *you* for reading & commenting. I completely agree with you about the vandalism. There’s little or nothing to connect Van Gogh with Just Stop Oil. I suppose they did it because they thought it would bring them publicity. It did, of course, but not exactly in a good way. I wish I could take credit for the ideas in the article: I just thought Stephen Blackwood had such wise things to say, they bore repeating. I hope you enjoy Wednesday’s newsletter. It is one of my favourites, if only because it’s quite unusual…