Can the climate protesters gluing themselves to frames of masterpieces damage irreplaceable art? We asked the experts:
Because demonstrators are not affixing themselves directly to the artworks, experts are divided over whether their actions are putting world heritage at risk.
Members of the activist group Ultima Generazione glued to a plinth supporting Boccioni’s 1913 bronze,at the Museo del Novecento in Milan on July 30. Photo courtesy of Ultima Generazione. “Climate catastrophe is an unprecedented threat of incredible proportions: killer droughts, devastating heat, all-consuming forest fires. These will increase dramatically in the coming years. Not just here in Germany… but worldwide,” Jakob Beyer, a 28-year-old activist who took part in the Dresden action, told the AP.
A conservation scientist, Rogge lives in Houston, where she works at both the Menil Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Both institutions are very aware of the growing risk of severe storms in the region, which was“My museums are incredibly concerned about climate change and its impact of our collections and the community at large,” Rogge said. “The increasing number of hurricanes and the intensity of storm forces are something we are reckoning with.
“Every time a museum puts an object out on view, we are exposing it to risk. People are people. People trip. They don’t look where they are going. There are small children in galleries,” Rogge said. “Accidents happen.”