Climate activists of the “last generation” showered paint on a painting by Gustav Klimt in Vienna’s Leopold Museum on Tuesday morning. The museum responded shortly afterwards. The painting itself is undamaged, but the protective glass and safety frame, as well as the wall and floor, have suffered “obvious and substantial damage”. The attack on works of art is “absolutely the wrong way,” says Hans-Peter Wipplinger, director of the Leopold Museum.
The “Death and Life” painting itself does not require restoration, Wipplinger continued. “The concerns of climate activists, such as those of the ‘last generation’, are valid, but attacking works of art is definitely the wrong way to avoid the intended goal of preventing the planned climate collapse.” Museums are a good example of sustainability because they would safeguard the cultural heritage for future generations.
Wipplinger appealed to the activists to find other ways that would not deter the general public from “legitimate concerns, but allow them to become comrades-in-arms”.
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As reported Tuesday morning, the group “Last Generation” poured black paint on Gustav Klimt’s “Death and Life” painting. The members shared a video and photos of the action on their Twitter account. One person had also clung to the glass protecting the work. According to the Leopold Museum, the police and security service were quickly on site and captured the personal data of the activists. A total of four reports were received: two on suspicion of serious material damage and two on grounds of disturbance of the peace.
On the occasion of Leopoldi Day on November 15, admission to the museum was free, and OMV was one of the sponsors. The activists direct their criticism at them. “New oil and gas resources are a death sentence for humanity,” they wrote on their Twitter channel. “Stop the destruction of fossils. We are racing into a climate hell,” two men shouted during the action.
Open letter from the Museumsbund
The Austrian Museum Association has now sent an open letter to the members of the “last generation”. In principle, one is available as a discussion and cooperation partner for concerns about climate protection, but the group must refrain from anything “that jeopardizes the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and also the role of museums as places of education and learning”. museum visit in the future “without major access restrictions and without general mistrust”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
