Italian Museum Burns Artworks in Protest at Cuts by BBC NEWS
Written on April 20, 2012
When Italy lost its Primse Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, due to the great debt the country was it, the government started cutting costs and jobs. One thing that was majory affected was the Casoria Contemporary Art Museum in Naples. Their funding was cut by a gigantic 43% in 2011. Museum diresctor, Antonio Manfredi, says that he will burn three paintings a week as a form of protest to the high cut. Many people agree with this protest and say that it will be quite effective, such as Severine Bourguignon, the first artist's piece that was burnt. However, there are a few that say there are other ways of dealing with the economic crisis than this "Art War", which is destroying original paintings.
I do not believe it is right for the director of the museum to burn artwork. Many people in Italy are very fond of the masterpieces and it is doing nothing to better the economis crisis in the area. I do not see a point in it at all because of the lack of effect it has had. The director claims, "Our 1,000 artworks are headed for destruction anyway beause of the government's indifference," This, however, is untrue in my personal view as well because many people enjoy the art pieces, some that are at the head of government.This burning of precious artwork as a way to seek government attention is not the way to handle the situation.
Art is a very complex part of Italian culture. Ever since the era of the Renaissance, the country has been very fond of museums around every major city. Many people were extremely saddened to see such an amazing work of art by Bourguignon get tourched as a cry of attention. Even the artist claimed it was a very painful thing to watch, although it had to be done. Many people all across the country love the artwork of Italian artists, but their love is being destroyed with each burning of an original painting.
I do not believe it is right for the director of the museum to burn artwork. Many people in Italy are very fond of the masterpieces and it is doing nothing to better the economis crisis in the area. I do not see a point in it at all because of the lack of effect it has had. The director claims, "Our 1,000 artworks are headed for destruction anyway beause of the government's indifference," This, however, is untrue in my personal view as well because many people enjoy the art pieces, some that are at the head of government.This burning of precious artwork as a way to seek government attention is not the way to handle the situation.
Art is a very complex part of Italian culture. Ever since the era of the Renaissance, the country has been very fond of museums around every major city. Many people were extremely saddened to see such an amazing work of art by Bourguignon get tourched as a cry of attention. Even the artist claimed it was a very painful thing to watch, although it had to be done. Many people all across the country love the artwork of Italian artists, but their love is being destroyed with each burning of an original painting.