this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2024
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I’m not trying to destroy art, says man planning to do just that if Assange dies in jail (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 11 months ago by cypherpunks@lemmy.ml to c/news@lemmy.world
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[–] spacesatan@lemm.ee 43 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Instead, the artist added, he is trying to spark a discussion over why “destroying the life of people means nothing but destroying art is a huge taboo in the world”.

I always feel a visceral hatred of the narrow definition of art as 'technically impressive paintings'. This act is itself art, it doesn't have to be for everyone.

Yes the threat is permanent and destructive, it kind of has to be, that's the point.

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

"I swear, the $45M worth of paintings are in these boxes in this sealed safe. No you can't look."

[–] fidodo@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

The art is very precious to the owners and it's in no way a tax writeoff

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Julian Assange isn't worth this.

Rich people love to piss away money and culture.

EDIT: Honestly probably an art-world money laundering scheme of some kind, with Assange as a convenient excuse.

[–] TurboDiesel@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago

The entirety of the art world itself is a money-laundering, tax-dodging financial cesspit.

[–] wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Why are money and culture more important than life?

Im pretty sure the majority of lives are worth more than some toxic pastes smeared on a thin scrap of textile leavings.

[–] WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

There aren’t really words to describe the potential impact of art. Some artists are like pioneers of human experience, and they pave the way for other people to experience parts of themselves that they may have never known they had.

Allowing yourself to really connect with a great work is an indescribable experience. Looking on your computer screen can’t do them justice—stand in front of a Van Gogh and let the awesome power of it wash over you. Art is one of the only ways to take a real walk in someone else’s mind to find the threads of commonality that bind us all.

This is sounding overly flowery, but it is how I really feel. Let yourself cry in a museum, and you will leave changed.

All that said, this act is art also, proved by the very fact that a lot of people feel strongly about it and are reevaluating their own feelings due to it. Not sure Assange is worth it, but I’m not the artist. Regardless of who they picked, the concept has been very effective.

[–] wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So its cool if I slit your throat for some paintings then

[–] WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

If it moves a global population to reconsider themselves and the value of art and free speech at large, then it will be more useful than anything else I’ve done with my life so far. Catch me if you can!

Edit: Also, the key here is consent—the art owners are consenting. That is currently how we see private property—the right to keep or destroy.

Plus, I sort of feel like we agree. If I’m right, you’re saying that life is more valuable than art. I’m saying that art and life are both very valuable, and this is a reasonable use for art. Devaluing art is devaluing the weight they are balancing against the value of his life, and I’m just saying that both are valuable and the loss of either would be a tragedy, rightfully so.

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I wonder how many great things he could have accomplished with the money he spent on this publicity stunt?

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Well he's trying to do something quite great, negotiate with US government

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Is that really a "negotiation" though? "Do what I tell you or I'll throw a tantrum and destroy historically important works of art"

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

It is negotiation. "You hurt me, I'll hurt you. Can we talk?"

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

I'm not sure the federal government is going to be hurt by some paintings being destroyed.

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

He isn't going to be hurt, he isn't hurting the other party, and he isnt even stating his terms. No part of your sentence is correct.

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What I read sounded more like "give us what we want or we kill all the hostages"

[–] wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If a trade between a human life and some dumbass paintings has you calling the paint stained cloth as the hostages, you need to go sit alone in a dark room for a while and do some deep introspection on exactly what the fuck is wrong with you dude

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world -2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Why is it that every time a debate gets interesting on Lemmy it always comes to one person gaslighting the other one with the suggestion to "go do some soul searching"? Do you guys like constantly sit in darkened rooms in quiet contemplation? I think this is the 5th time I've seen this response to someone this week lol

[–] wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Thats a damning statement on yourself

I dont know how to explain to you that human lives matter more than scraps of painted cloth. It seems this is a lesson people frequently dont know how to explain to you.

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I would agree with you if that were only being said to me, but I've seen it pop up almost verbatim in a number of threads I wasn't even taking part in. It seems to be the default comment when someone just doesn't feel like debating anymore but wants to feel like they've "won" somehow

[–] wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one 2 points 11 months ago

This is a really weird way to try and deflect thinking paint matters more than human lives.

You think maybe this is why no one wants to discuss this with you, and keeps telling you to go sit with whatever the fuck youve got in your head that makes you think paint matters more than people?

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

British government? He's being held in London.

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Iirc Brits don't have beef with him, us wants him

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago

He is being held in a very high security prison in the UK and the British government is fighting extradition to the US. Going to guess they have some beef with him.

[–] toasteecup@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

Never try to move an immovable object.

[–] Zahille7@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Or the art

[–] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Check out his art. He paints in human blood.

[–] yuriy@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago

Well he’s got you talking about it, sounds like a smart move on his part

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 0 points 10 months ago

Saving Julian Assange from dying in jail is a worthy goal

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 0 points 11 months ago

Julian Assange is only 52. He's got many more years in prison. I feel like the guy is jumping the gun a bit. Maybe wait another decade. Nobody is going to remember he is doing this stunt in a decade or two or three.