Historic Roman Fountain Gets Its Water Tainted Black In Climate Change Protest
Climate activists once again struck cultural gems to divert the gaze to the use and mining of fossil fuels. This time, an Italian group known as Ultima Generazione (UG), whose name translates to mean Last Generation, pulled a guerrilla stunt at the Barcaccia Fountain in Rome to warn bystanders about the direction the world would be heading if no action is taken.
The monument, located near the foot of the famous Spanish Steps, had its water tinted with charcoal-based powder to turn it black, resulting in a look reminiscent of an extreme oil spill.
The protesters entwined their rationale for the campaign with the fountain’s own history. The Barcaccia Fountain, commissioned by Pope Urban VII in 1623 and carved by Pietro Bernini, is centered around a boat mirroring the one that appeared at the Spanish Square after a historic flood at the Tiber River.
Chi è al potere sta causando devastazioni enormemente peggiori, sotto i nostri occhi. Come possiamo accettare che si continui a dare soldi a chi è responsabile dell'inquinamento e del meteo distruttivo? #roma #barcaccia #siccità #acqua #eni #clima #ultimagenerazione #a22network pic.twitter.com/kXEn1cxUEm
— Ultima Generazione (@UltimaGenerazi1) April 1, 2023
While the demonstration was carried out on April Fools’ Day, UG had solemn intentions. The group explained that the darkening water foreshadows an “end of the world” outcome which could be accelerated because the government has approved fossil-fuel projects that will drag all the way into 2028.
Activists from the organization also took to the 13-spout Calamo Fountain in Ancona and wrapped a banner reading “We Don’t Pay for Fossil” around the structure that same day.
Azione anche in #Ancona: ricoperta la Fontana delle Tredici Cannelle.
— Ultima Generazione (@UltimaGenerazi1) April 1, 2023
Il razionamento dell'acqua è un rischio sempre più concreto, eppure il Governo usa i soldi pubblici per aiutare le compagnie fossili invece che per ristrutturare la rete idrica e limitare le perdite. pic.twitter.com/kwzDtMsHLy
UG targeted the fountains to address the concurrent struggles with the country’s water distribution infrastructure, which is in need of repairs. Accordingly, 40% of the water in the aqueducts seeped out in 2020. Coupled with a rise in floods and droughts, these incidents have spurred fears that water access could eventually be privatized, Hyperallergic reports.
The fountains at the center of the demonstrations also reflect “the refreshment offered by the water” and “the danger it can represent,” warned the environmental protesters.
The activists at both venues were apprehended by the police minutes after they pulled their stunts.
Roman Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has since criticized the acts, expressing that while “we share the battle,” he disagrees with the idea of dyeing the water of a heritage landmark. “Monuments must be respected because they belong to everyone,” he continued.
[via Hyperallergic and Far Out Magazine, cover photo 262287025 © Uri Yerochov | Dreamstime.com]
