Artist says he will destroy $45 million worth of Rembrandt, Picasso and Warhol masterpieces with acid if Julian Assange dies in prison

floofloof@lemmy.ca to News@lemmy.world – 305 points –
Artist says he will destroy $45 million worth of Rembrandt, Picasso and Warhol masterpieces with acid if Julian Assange dies in prison
cbsnews.com
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Ok.

I mean, it sucks to see art destroyed, but I guess if you bought it, you can destroy it.

If that upsets you, then maybe we should reconsider allowing art to fall into the hands of wealthy collectors. If it should be preserved for future art lovers and historians, then to quote a great philosopher of our time, "It belongs in a museum."

I don't know what it has to do with Assange.

It depends on the country. In the US an artist has rights and deliberately destroying an artwork can get you sued.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Artists_Rights_Act

Rembrandt, Picasso, and Warhol do not have any rights anymore. They have all died.

And how would that compare, for you, to Julian Assange if he dies in prison ?

If I had to choose one? I'd burn the art to save a life. If he died and the artwork was destroyed, I would think that was two tragedies.

What's the reason for that? Tried googling but couldn't find anything on the reasoning for the law

>right to prevent distortion, mutilation, or modification that would prejudice the author's honor or reputation

not exactly

Additionally, authors of works of "recognized stature" may prohibit intentional or grossly negligent destruction of a work.

The very next line after the one you you quoted. Also look at the case studies of times people have been sued successfully.

The fact this guy owns this art is actually kind of disappointing to me. I thought he was just picking a set of famous art and going rogue with it.

A terrorist, but instead of threatening blood only threatening the loss of priceless cultural artefacts. Going beyond mere property damage and loss of value, but still stopping short of violence.

Still a bold move on his part. More impressive, really. But somehow less exciting.

Considering he could make forgeries (considering he has the perfect reference) and destroy those, increasing the fame of those pieces, and their value should he save the original... Something tells me that there's too much financial incentive not to pull a stunt like that and sell the real paintings later.

Do I have any proof that's what's happening? No. But it's not unrealistic.

In the long run, none of us truly owns anything. We all share the same fate, Assange and this clown included. It’s a shame that this clown is holding western culture hostage to his terrorist demands. If he destroys the works, he’s no different than the Taliban or ISIS destroying pre-Islam archeological discoveries.

none of us truly owns anything.

I guess that depends on your personal definition of ownership. Something constantly being challenged in the modern era.

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