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
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.
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
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”.
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”.
