What’s the Appropriate Punishment for the Art Vandals?

 

The latest from the “let’s ruin art to make a statement” crowd.

The Johannes Vermeer masterpiece “Girl with a Pearl Earring” on Thursday became the latest artwork targeted by climate activists in a protest at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague. The priceless work reportedly was not damaged.

A video posted on Twitter showed one man pouring a can of what appear to be tomatoes over another man who appeared to attempt to glue his head to the world famous painting.

So far, the targeted works of art seem to have survived. However, what if one of these idiots actually destroys a painting, say the Mona Lisa? Would it be too much to ask for the death penalty? If not the death penalty, how about life in prison?

This raises an interesting argument. Life is valuable, and no doubt the life of a climate activist (as despicable as they are) is more valuable than any inanimate object.

Or is it? Can there be some things that are more valuable than a human life? Are there some priceless objects that if lost forever, would be a detriment to humanity?

I’m dying to know your thoughts . . .

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  1. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    It is an act of nihilism. Those people should be sent to prison for 20 years. See how their nihilist this king works there

    • #1
  2. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were. 

    • #2
  3. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    This looks like a form of hostage-taking: “See that beloved thing over there? The thing that has nothing whatsoever to do with me or my pet political project? Well, I’m going to destroy it if you don’t give me what I want! Blahrefdjfdkfdddsdgr! Hear me roar! Ban meat, or the broad with the pearl earring gets it!”

    In reality, though, these people seem to be targeting art they know is protected. Because they don’t actually want to destroy the art (George Soros wouldn’t allow that); they just want to make a scene. The authorities — who are sympathetic to the cause to begin with — are willing to put up with the shenanigans, so long as nothing is really ruined.

    • #3
  4. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    I confess that this whole trend, like the trend of people befouling food on the shelves at grocery store, convinces me that the pendulum of community enforcement has swung too far in the laissez-faire direction.

    Becoming more of a laissez-saigner kind of guy.

    • #4
  5. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    Here’s what this moron has to say about it.

     

    • #5
  6. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were.

    Dumping a bucket of tar over her head and applying a liberal coating of feathers would do her absolutely no damage whatsoever either – depending on the temperature of the tar.

    • #6
  7. Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patriot) Member
    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patriot)
    @ArizonaPatriot

    Many of these people seem to be Gaia worshippers.

    • #7
  8. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    I think that museums cover the artwork with glass or plexiglass.  The Norman Rockwell museum used to use an electric eye that would set off an alarm if you leaned in too far or tried to touch the works.  The only way this stops is when the perpetrators are actually punished.

    • #8
  9. David Foster Member
    David Foster
    @DavidFoster

    I can’t find the link but there was an article about a week ago to the effect that in the attack on the van Gogh painting, the museum administrators knew in advance that it was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. It went on to say that art museum will not get the grants that are their lifeblood if they don’t show proper Wokeness, and that the curators for the most part care a lot of about politics than about art.

    • #9
  10. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Many of these people seem to be Gaia worshippers.

    At best.

    • #10
  11. Misthiocracy has never Member
    Misthiocracy has never
    @Misthiocracy

    It’s good ‘ol Maoism.  “Death to the four olds!”

    • #11
  12. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    David Foster (View Comment):

    I can’t find the link but there was an article about a week ago to the effect that in the attack on the van Gogh painting, the museum administrators knew in advance that it was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. It went on to say that art museum will not get the grants that are their lifeblood if they don’t show proper Wokeness, and that the curators for the most part care a lot of about politics than about art.

    The press, cameras ready, just so happened to be standing respectfully behind the rope barrier.

    • #12
  13. David Foster Member
    David Foster
    @DavidFoster

    This isn’t the article I was looking for, but still very relevant: How moral panic has debased art criticism.

    • #13
  14. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    David Foster (View Comment):
    ago

    Funny. I thought it was college-level education that had debased art criticism.

    • #14
  15. David Foster Member
    David Foster
    @DavidFoster

    Found the piece I was looking for:  The Gramscian march through arts institutions–and arts funding.

     

    • #15
  16. Joker Member
    Joker
    @Joker

    I’m with you Percival. This is the exact type of infraction that tar and feathers would resolve to the satisfaction of all.

    • #16
  17. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    I think that museums cover the artwork with glass or plexiglass. The Norman Rockwell museum used to use an electric eye that would set off an alarm if you leaned in too far or tried to touch the works. The only way this stops is when the perpetrators are actually punished.

    By being shot

    • #17
  18. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Many of these people seem to be Gaia worshippers.

    I think what Stad is suggesting is that their deepest wish to become one with their God should be granted post haste. 

    • #18
  19. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    David Foster (View Comment):

    I can’t find the link but there was an article about a week ago to the effect that in the attack on the van Gogh painting, the museum administrators knew in advance that it was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. It went on to say that art museum will not get the grants that are their lifeblood if they don’t show proper Wokeness, and that the curators for the most part care a lot of about politics than about art.

    I’m afraid this is probably right.

    • #19
  20. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Percival (View Comment):

    David Foster (View Comment):

    I can’t find the link but there was an article about a week ago to the effect that in the attack on the van Gogh painting, the museum administrators knew in advance that it was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. It went on to say that art museum will not get the grants that are their lifeblood if they don’t show proper Wokeness, and that the curators for the most part care a lot of about politics than about art.

    The press, cameras ready, just so happened to be standing respectfully behind the rope barrier.

    Furthermore, these museums have large numbers of security guards. They could stop such acts of vandalism very quickly–if they wanted to.

    The administrators and other personnel were already pretty damn “woke”, and the rot began long ago.

    • #20
  21. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    David Foster (View Comment):

    This isn’t the article I was looking for, but still very relevant: How moral panic has debased art criticism.

    I haven’t read the article – sorry – but I just have to say that art criticism has been debased for about a century.

    • #21
  22. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Joker (View Comment):

    I’m with you Percival. This is the exact type of infraction that tar and feathers would resolve to the satisfaction of all.

    I’m trying to bring it back.

    • #22
  23. AMD Texas Coolidge
    AMD Texas
    @DarinJohnson

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    I think that museums cover the artwork with glass or plexiglass. The Norman Rockwell museum used to use an electric eye that would set off an alarm if you leaned in too far or tried to touch the works. The only way this stops is when the perpetrators are actually punished.

    You would think that some of the folks in the museums enjoying the art might inflict some punishment. It’s not like those performing these acts are physically imposing.

    • #23
  24. Retail Lawyer Member
    Retail Lawyer
    @RetailLawyer

    How about shutting down all the museums for a few years at least?  They have all been damaged by the wokesters running them.

    • #24
  25. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Percival (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were.

    Dumping a bucket of tar over her head and applying a liberal coating of feathers would do her absolutely no damage whatsoever either – depending on the temperature of the tar.

    Tarring and feathering was actually very painful.  The hot tar burned when applied, and pulling the feathers off ripped the skin.

    So yes, let’s tar and feather the SOBs . . .

    • #25
  26. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    I think it is time for patrons of the arts to rise up against these activists. 

    A solid beat-down would not go amiss. 

    • #26
  27. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Stad (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were.

    Dumping a bucket of tar over her head and applying a liberal coating of feathers would do her absolutely no damage whatsoever either – depending on the temperature of the tar.

    Tarring and feathering was actually very painful. The hot tar burned when applied, and pulling the feathers off ripped the skin.

    So yes, let’s tar and feather the SOBs . . .

    Just warm enough to be viscous. We’ll put it on with a trowel.

    • #27
  28. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    Stad (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were.

    Dumping a bucket of tar over her head and applying a liberal coating of feathers would do her absolutely no damage whatsoever either – depending on the temperature of the tar.

    Tarring and feathering was actually very painful. The hot tar burned when applied, and pulling the feathers off ripped the skin.

    So yes, let’s tar and feather the SOBs . . .

    This is one of the more memorable scenes from the HBO John Adams series. It’s hard to find any humor in tar and feathering after seeing it.

     

    • #28
  29. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Percival (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    “We’re an insurgent resistance movement funded by billionaires and fully supported by the corporate media, all major political parties, the government bureaucracy and the police. Our radical agenda is being enacted by governments worldwide. So, obviously protest vandalism is absolutely essential.”

    These “rebels” are getting treated a lot better than Canadian truckers were.

    Dumping a bucket of tar over her head and applying a liberal coating of feathers would do her absolutely no damage whatsoever either – depending on the temperature of the tar.

    Tarring and feathering was actually very painful. The hot tar burned when applied, and pulling the feathers off ripped the skin.

    So yes, let’s tar and feather the SOBs . . .

    Just warm enough to be viscous. We’ll put it on with a trowel.

    If I have a trowel in my hand, I’m not gonna need the tar.

    • #29
  30. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    TBA (View Comment):

    I think it is time for patrons of the arts to rise up against these activists.

    A solid beat-down would not go amiss.

    Lately I’ve been thinking of the elevating benefits of pressing.

    A temperate and well-monitored pressing can change many minds.

    • #30
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