The two activists who threw soup at the famous painting sunflower By Van Gogh, on display at the National Gallery in London, he defended himself on Saturday in court, stating that she did no harm – neither to the picture nor to the frame. The London Gallery tells of another version, but the girls were released on bail pending trial.
On Friday, two women members Just stop the oil, They photographed themselves A can of tomato soup was thrown at a Van Gogh painting to attract the attention of the British government. Next, they glued themselves to the wall where the work was exposed. The task was to put an end to new oil or gas exploration projects.
The museum asserts that the protest did not damage the painting, but that “there is slight damage to the frame”.
It’s something the husband denies. Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Lambeth, pleaded not guilty when they appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court. If found guilty, they will have to pay compensation for damage to the tire (up to £5,000 – around €5,750).
The prosecutor, Ola Oyedepo, notes that the young women dumped the “orange substance” knowing there was a “protective layer,” but that the structure was damaged.
As for the defense, Katie McFadden says the museum “needs to prove that damage was done.” The extent of harm, McFadden says, is relevant to assessing the relationship between harm and young women’s right to free speech.
District Judge Tan Erkham chose to release them on bail on the condition that they do not enter galleries or museums and do not carry paint or adhesives in public.
This isn’t the first time climate protesters have used artwork to protest: This week, activists from Extinction Rebellion, another climate protest movement, stormed the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, sticking their hands on massacre in korea by Pablo Picasso.
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