The Human Condition: Oil and Art

By DR. DANIEL SCHNEE on November 2, 2022.

In my travels as a musician I have enjoyed visiting many of the great museums of the world. And, as a graphic score composer whose works lie somewhere between music and visual art I have been lucky enough to have my own works exhibited internationally as well. Thus, when I read of the increasing trend of environmentalists gluing themselves to or splashing famous works of art with tomato soup to gain attention for their cause, I am offended as both a creator and an Albertan.

JustStopOil, an alliance dedicated to halting all new oil projects in the United Kingdom, has chosen to deface famous works of art to drive home their point: that if we do not stop increased exploration, development and production of fossil fuels, there will be no one left to enjoy the great artworks. Thus, their members deface works by artists such as Van Gogh or Picasso, or glue themselves to the frames.

To be fair, the JustStopOil protesters have chosen methods that do little to no harm to the actual works. But as they continue their protesting they create the opposite effect of what they intend, especially when their message is overshadowed by the shocking nature of their actions, and tacitly anti-oil worker messaging.

It is a fact that climate science is extremely complex, thus it is incorrect to imagine we can know the exact what’s, why’s, and how’s of a given climate event. If we did, weather reporters would get every one of their predictions correct. But humanity has interrupted so many of the globe’s natural cycles we absolutely have assisted in the development of numerous climate crises. Our overpopulation and pollution, in a sense, suppress Mother Nature’s immune system, and thus she is ill.

But JustStopOil activism is nonsense. It works toward the illusion of environmental action, but glosses over the fact that most daily products we use are petroleum-based. Toothpaste contains Poloxamer 407, a petroleum derivative. Aspirin contains benzene, another petroleum derivative. Paraffin wax is often used in non-prescription drugs in order to prevent bloating. If the planet’s population stopped mindlessly consuming anything/everything, and controlled how often we “populate,” we would not have need for all the oil they wish we would cease refining.

And even if it is not directly harming the art, defacing the beautiful things we see as our common human heritage is an attack on the very reason we want to survive in the first place. We seek beauty and lives of value. Seeing the art I cherish being made ugly does not make me like them and their cause. If they did such a thing to one of my works I would be livid. I would never give them permission. Thus, they take advantage of deceased artists.

In 1963, the Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc burnt himself to death in South Vietnam to protest religious persecution: an act of self-sacrifice that will be eternally remembered for its incredible potency. JustStopOil throws soup at paintings, i.e. cowardice, since paintings can’t defend themselves. The anarchical pseudo-destruction they force upon us is misplaced and narcissistic.

We need to take better care of the planet, but not at the expense of living. Life without beauty is extinction as well.

Dr. Daniel Schnee is an anthropologist and jazz/rock drummer.

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