In a bizarre event over the weekend, the iconic Mona Lisa became the target of an unusual protest as two individuals threw soup at the glass-protected masterpiece housed in the Louvre, France. Yes, you read that correctly – soup because nothing says “healthy and sustainable food” like splashing soup on a 16th-century masterpiece.
This avant-garde demonstration was orchestrated by a group named Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack). Now, one might wonder, what does the Mona Lisa have to do with the food revolution? Well, according to these protesters, the agricultural system is sick, and our farmers are apparently dropping like flies – never mind the fact that the Mona Lisa has been sitting pretty behind protective glass since the 1950s.
Two brave souls, adorned in “food counterattack” T-shirts, graced the Louvre with their presence. They threw their chosen weapon of culinary dissent at the Mona Lisa, questioning society’s priorities by asking, “What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food?” It’s a tough one. When faced with choosing between preserving a timeless masterpiece and expressing disdain for agricultural systems, the latter takes precedence.
ALERTE – Des militantes pour le climat jettent de la soupe sur le tableau de La Joconde au musée du Louvre. @CLPRESSFR pic.twitter.com/Aa7gavRRc4
— CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) January 28, 2024
The video footage captured the moment when these soup-wielding activists, clearly connoisseurs of haute cuisine, stood defiantly in front of the painting. Their eloquent statement echoed through the hallowed halls of the Louvre: “Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work.” A heartfelt plea, undoubtedly, but one can’t help but wonder if a painting untouched for centuries is the right target for their agricultural grievances.
Museum security, undoubtedly trained to handle culinary attacks on Renaissance art, promptly covered the duo with black screens and evacuated the room. Because heaven forbid anyone misses out on witnessing the artistic masterpiece that is the Mona Lisa – even if it means enduring the lingering aroma of pumpkin soup.
Riposte Alimentaire, in their moment of glory, justified their soup spectacle by declaring it a move towards integrating “food into the general social security system.” In their noble quest, they called for a monthly food card worth €150 to be handed out to citizens for gastronomic pleasure. Because nothing says “fundamental right to food” like a government-sponsored monthly food allowance – move over, art, hunger pangs are the real masterpiece.
The Louvre, not to be outdone by a pumpkin soup performance, assured the public that the Mona Lisa emerged unscathed from this gastronomic assault. They promptly cleaned up the mess, reopened the Salle des Etats, and sternly stated: “The museum will complain.” Well, we can all rest easy now, knowing that the Louvre is taking a stand against culinary crimes on classic art.
France’s Minister for Culture, Rachida Dati, rightly expressed her outrage, asserting that “no cause” could justify such an attack on the Mona Lisa. She passionately proclaimed, “Like our heritage, [the painting] belongs to future generations.” Some still need reminding that assaulting a priceless masterpiece isn’t the key to a better food system.
But this isn’t the first time the Mona Lisa has faced an unconventional attack. In 2022, an activist opted for a cake assault, urging people to “think of the Earth.” Because clearly, cake is the chosen medium for conveying environmental concerns. Forget raising awareness through sensible discourse or policy advocacy – cake-slinging is the way to go.
In a world where art is under threat from soup-wielding activists and cake-hurling environmentalists, one can’t help but marvel at the resilience of the Mona Lisa. Stolen in 1911 and recovered two years later, this masterpiece has weathered storms of theft, acid attacks, and now, soup showers. The indomitable spirit of da Vinci’s muse lives on, undeterred by the eccentricities of modern-day activism.
As we witness the culinary crusaders targeting timeless art for their cause, one can’t help but wonder – is this the zenith of protest creativity, or have we officially reached the soup-de-rire of activism? Only time will tell, but for now, the Mona Lisa remains stoically unimpressed, gazing back at us with the same enigmatic smile that has captivated the world for centuries.
