The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Closes Due to Protests

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston Had to Close Its Doors Due to Climate Protests Posing as Threat.

Sep 11, 2023By Angela Davic, News, Discoveries, In-depth Reporting, and Analysis
The Isabella Stewart
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, original building. Via Wikipedia

 

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum had to change its regular way of working due to possible climate protests. On days when it normally works in the evening, and when the entrance is free for tourists, the authorities had to close the institution. Peggy Fogelman, the museum’s representative, informed the public of its decisions due to possible activists’ action.

 

Addressing Biodiversity Concern

The Isabella Stewart
The Gardener Museum Main Lobby. Via Wikipedia

 

These environment protesters have a connection with a climate advocacy organization called Extinction Rebellion. The museum, built in 1903 resembles a palace in Venice, released an official document describing reasons for protests’ organizing. Climate activists want to address biodiversity issues in the Back Bay area. This could potentially harm museum’s collection.

 

“While we may support constructive efforts to address and elucidate the climate crisis—as do many of the artists featured in our current exhibition, Presence of Plants in Contemporary Art—public discourse entails respectful dialogue in which participants engage by choice”, Fogelman wrote.

 

The Rape of Europa
The Rape of Europa (1562) by Titian is one of the most famous works in the museum. Via Wikipedia

 

She also added: “We cannot condone tactics that impose risk and confrontation on audiences and objects”. The director also raised concern about protesters choosing the time for activism when the museum offers free admission and many people are visiting. Earlier, Extinction Rebellion intended to stage a climate-related demonstration at the institution in March.

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Climate Organization on Their Actions

The Story of Lucretia
Sandro Botticelli, The Story of Lucretia (1496–1504). At the museum. Via Wikipedia

 

Many know the museum for notorious artwork heists in history. There are still bare frameworks of 1990s looted paintings. Extinction Rebellion posted an editorial on the site saying that the protesters intended to establish art in such empty spots. Their location is in the museum’s famed Dutch Room. The purpose was to raise consciousness of the local region’s declining biodiversity.

 

Climate activist organization also released a statement. “Yesterday we planned a regenerative field trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. We openly welcomed community members to peacefully enjoy the collection, wearing t-shirts featuring original art linking the loss of 13 paintings from ISGM to the loss of > 1 million species”.

 

Hercules by Piero della Francesca
Hercules by Piero della Francesca (after 1465) at the museum. Via Wikipedia.

 

They also added: “Since those 13 art pieces vanished into the night, more than 1 million species of animals and plants are currently on the brink of extinction. Each of them a piece of art created by nature. The loss is staggering”.

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By Angela DavicNews, Discoveries, In-depth Reporting, and AnalysisAngela is a journalism student at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade and received a scholarship for continued education in Prague. She completed her internship at the daily newspaper DANAS and worked as an executive editor at Talas.