In the Italian city of Naples, the Casoria Contemporary Art Museum has launched a protest, Art War, against the Italian governments’ austerity cuts by burning works of art from around the world.
The Art War began on April 17 and reportedly will continue until the cuts are revoked — three pieces a week.
French artist Severine Bourguignon was the painter of the first piece set ablaze. She is in full agreement with the stance of the museum and its director Antonio Manfredi.
“The survival of the museum is such an important cause that it justifies the despicable, and painful, act of destroying a work of art,” she told the BBC.
Bourguignon watched her art turn to ashes online and commented,”My work burned slowly, with a sinister crackle. It cost me a lot, but I have no other means of protesting against the loss of this institution.”
Manfredi is very outspoken about the governement and the Camorra, Naples-based mafia. He has even requested asylum from Germany — no repsonse yet.
“If a government allows Pompeii to fall then what hope does my museum have.” Manfredi was referencing, to the AFP, a number of recent incidents at one of the worl’d most important archeological sites. UNESCO blames the governement for not properly maintaining Pompeii.
Museums have seen budget cuts across Italy some 41%. Other artists around Europe are burning their own pieces to support Italy’s Art War and make a larger comment on the impact of ausertiy measures beyond the art world.