WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? Presenting — Sabotage: The Splat 🥫🖼️
Oct 24, 2025
Explore the audacious tomato soup stunt that targeted Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and the climate activism group Just Stop Oil. Delve into the public outrage, media coverage, and legal aftermath of this high-profile protest. Discover why activists choose art as a platform and how disruptive tactics aim to grab attention. Hear insights from museum staff and the motivations of the protesters, revealing the emotional underpinnings of their actions. The episode challenges perceptions of radicalism in climate activism and invites listeners to consider the effectiveness of such protests.
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Soup At The National Gallery
- Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland entered the National Gallery and hurled cans of Heinz tomato soup at Van Gogh's Sunflowers while gluing themselves to the frame.
- They shouted about deaths from monsoons, wildfires, and drought and demanded no new oil and gas.
Controversy As A Visibility Strategy
- Just Stop Oil uses shocking stunts to generate global media attention and force political conversation.
- Their goal is to stop licensing new oil, gas, and coal projects by provoking public outrage and visibility.
Use Disruption To Force Conversation
- Do disruptive, transgressive actions if your goal is to force media and public attention on ignored issues.
- Indigo Rumbelow argues only disruptive tactics create the emotional attachment needed to make people care.