Protesters throw soup at ‘Mona Lisa’ in Paris
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
12:05 PM – Monday, January 29, 2024
Videos circulating on social media this weekend show two activists hurling canned soup at the well-known “Mona Lisa” painting in Paris, France. Fortunately, the artwork was shielded from being damaged by a glass shield covering it.
On Sunday, two female climate activists splattered the iconic “Mona Lisa” painting with canned soup at the Louvre Museum.
“The Mona Lisa has been behind glass since the 1950s, when a visitor poured acid on it. In 2019, the museum installed glass of what it said was superior transparency,” according to the New York Times.
Riposte Alimentaire, an environmentalist organization, which is also known globally as “Food Response,” the English translation of the name, announced that the two activists were involved in its current campaign and they took responsibility for the attempted vandalization and demonstration.
The “Mona Lisa,” the notable painting by Leonardo da Vinci that is housed in the Louvre museum, is arguably the most well-known piece of art in existence. The artwork draws millions of visitors every year who line up to view, take pictures of, or pose with it.
The protesters opened the cans of soup and splattered it all over the Leonardo da Vinci painting at around 10 a.m. local time. One video posted by Riposte Alimentaire showed the splashes of orange soup on the glass cover.
The two activists, who the organization identified as Sasha, 24, and Marie-Juliette, 63, went behind the protective wooden railing in front of the painting, stood next to each other, and demanded for “the integration of food into the general social security system.”
In one video, a protester is heard saying, “What is more important: art or the right to a healthy and sustainable diet?”
Employees at the Louvre were also seen moving black screens between visitors and the activists. The “Salle des Etats” room, which holds the Mona Lisa, was then evacuated but has subsequently reopened since the incident occurred.
“Two activists from the environmental movement ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ sprayed pumpkin soup on the armored glass protecting the Mona Lisa, this Sunday, January 28, 2024, around 10 a.m. (4 a.m. ET),” a statement from the museum said. “The Louvre’s security staff immediately intervened.”
Additionally, Riposte Alimentaire made a statement on X (Twitter) regarding the protest.
“In France, one in three people skip meals due to lack of means,” Riposte Alimentaire said. “At the same time, 20% of the food produced is thrown away. Our model stigmatizes the most precarious and does not respect our fundamental right to food,” the English-translated tweet read.
The organization claimed that the agricultural system is flawed and cited farmer suicides as evidence. French farmers are currently demanding better wages and living conditions from the government by staging statewide protests, closing roads, and threatening to converge on the capital.
According to its website, Riposte Alimentaire is known for controversial climate protests. The group is involved in the A22 Network, which is a network consisting of several activist organizations, including Just Stop Oil, a group responsible for a similar incident on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” in London back in 2022.
“Agriculture is responsible for 21% of national greenhouse gas emissions and contributes greatly to the deterioration of our biodiversity and the impoverishment of soils, due to the massive use of inputs,” the group said.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati denounced the Louvre protest in a post on X (Twitter).
“The Mona Lisa, like our heritage, belongs to future generations,” Dati said. “No cause can justify it being targeted! I extend all my support to the staff of @museeLouvre.”
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What demands were made by the environmentalist organization Riposte Alimentaire during their protest at the Louvre?
The recent incident at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where two activists hurled soup at Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic “Mona Lisa” painting, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the protection of valuable artworks. The incident, which was captured on videos circulating on social media, fortunately did not cause any damage to the artwork due to the glass shield covering it.
The activists, who are members of the environmentalist organization Riposte Alimentaire, claimed responsibility for the protest, stating that it was part of their campaign for “healthy and sustainable food.” The group, also known as “Food Response,” demanded the integration of food into the general social security system, highlighting the issues of food waste and food insecurity in France.
The ”Mona Lisa” is one of the most famous and visited artworks in the world, drawing millions of visitors to the Louvre every year. The painting has been shielded behind glass since the 1950s, following an incident where a visitor poured acid on it. In 2019, the museum installed glass with superior transparency to provide optimal protection for the artwork.
The act of vandalizing or attacking artworks is not new, and the Louvre Museum has been a frequent target. In 2022, someone threw a custard pie at the “Mona Lisa,” but the thick glass casing ensured its preservation. The recent soup-throwing incident highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting valuable artworks from such acts.
Riposte Alimentaire’s protest draws attention to the flaws in the agricultural system and the issues of food inequality and waste. The organization claims that one in three people in France skips meals due to lack of means, while 20% of the food produced is thrown away. They argue that the current model stigmatizes the most vulnerable and fails to respect the fundamental right to food.
The protest also sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by French farmers, who are demanding better wages and living conditions. The group cited farmer suicides as evidence of the flaws in the agricultural system and expressed solidarity with the farmers’ protests.
The incident has received mixed reactions, with French Culture Minister Rachida Dati denouncing the protest and expressing support for the Louvre staff. She emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations and condemned any act of targeting artworks.
Riposte Alimentaire’s controversial climate protests have gained attention in the past, with the group being involved in the A22 Network, a network of activist organizations. Just Stop Oil, another group within the network, was responsible for a similar incident on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting in London in 2022.
The incident at the Louvre Museum raises important questions about the protection and preservation of artworks. While acts of protest can bring attention to important issues, it is crucial to find peaceful and respectful ways to address them without causing harm to invaluable cultural treasures. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by institutions in safeguarding art and the need for continuous efforts to ensure their preservation for generations to come.
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