Two activists from Just Stop Oil were arrested after damaging a historic painting in London’s National Gallery. They used safety hammers to break the glass protecting the Rokeby Venus, a painting by Diego Velázquez. Just Stop Oil is protesting against new oil and gas projects, blaming them for harming our planet.
Oracy
Most people understand that serious action has to be taken to protect our planet. But is it right to damage artwork to make that point? Surely paintings and sculptures have nothing to do with the climate crisis? Doesn’t it do more to turn people against their campaign than support it? Or is the cause so important that any action, short of hurting people, is justified? Don’t our leaders need headline-grabbing protests to make them take climate change seriously? After all, many more artworks will surely be lost if the destruction of our planet goes on. What do you think?
Writing skills
What do you feel strongly about? Pick any subject that is important to you and write a short speech outlining what the problem is and what should be done about it. Use your most powerfully persuasive language to make your point. If possible, rehearse it then read it out loud to your class.
Or
Imagine you are a famous statue. Write a diary entry about a day when you were covered in paint by protesters. Explain how you felt at the beginning of the day when people were admiring you, then describe the attack and how it made you feel after that. Remember to write in the first person (I, me, my).
Investigate
Who was Venus from ancient mythology? Write a brief fact file about her including between five and ten interesting details.
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