Current:Home > StocksArtist says he'll destroy $45M worth of Rembrandt, Picasso and Warhol masterpieces if Julian Assange dies in prison -WealthMindset Learning
Artist says he'll destroy $45M worth of Rembrandt, Picasso and Warhol masterpieces if Julian Assange dies in prison
View
Date:2025-04-15 23:41:51
An artist in the south of France says he's planning to destroy up to $45 million worth of art, including pieces by Rembrandt, Picasso, and Andy Warhol, if WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange dies in prison, British broadcaster Sky News reports.
Andrei Molodkin told Sky that he put a collection of masterpieces that had been donated to him into a 29-ton safe hooked up to two barrels — one containing an acid powder and the other containing an accelerator — which, when pumped into the safe, will create a reaction strong enough to destroy all its contents.
The project is called "Dead Man's Switch," and it is backed by Assange's wife, Stella. Assange is currently in jail in the U.K. awaiting his final appeal over extradition to the United States to face charges under the Espionage Act, which will take place later this month. WikiLeaks published thousands of leaked documents relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Assange is alleged to have conspired to obtain and disclose U.S. national defense information.
The WikiLeaks founder denies any wrongdoing, and his lawyer says his life is at risk if he loses his appeal.
"In our catastrophic time — when we have so many wars — to destroy art is much more taboo than to destroy the life of a person," Molodkin, who is originally from Russia but now lives in France, told Sky News. "Since Julian Assange has been in prison... freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of information has started to be more and more repressed. I have this feeling very strongly now."
The safe will be sealed on Friday at Molodkin's studio in France, and it will eventually be moved to a museum, Sky News reports.
Molodkin says that the safe will be hooked up to a 24-hour timer which must be reset every day or else it will trigger the release of the two barrel's corrosive substances inside. He says, each day, the timer will only be reset when someone "close to Assange" confirms he is alive.
Giampaolo Abbondio, a Milan art gallery owner, told Sky News he initially rejected Molodkin's idea, but has now donated a Picasso to the project.
"It's more relevant for the world to have one Assange than an extra Picasso, so I decided to accept [Molodkin's offer to participate]" Abbondio said. "Let's say I'm an optimist and I've lent it. If Assange goes free, I can have it back. Picasso can vary from 10,000 to 100 million, but I don't think it's the number of zeros that makes it more relevant when we're talking about a human life."
Artist Franko B told Sky News that he has donated one of his own pieces to be put in the safe.
"I thought it was important that I committed something I care about. I didn't donate something that I found in the corner of my studio. I donated a piece of work that is very dear to me that talks about freedom, censorship," Franko B said. "It's important. It's a small gesture compared to what Assange did and what he's going through."
Assange's wife, Stella, says the project asks the question of "which is the greater taboo: destroying art or destroying human life?"
"The true targets here are not just Julian Assange but the public's right to know, and the future of being able to hold power accountable," Stella told Sky News. "If democracy wins, the art will be preserved - as will Julian's life."
- In:
- Julian Assange
- WikiLeaks
Haley Ott is cbsnews.com's foreign reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau. Haley joined the cbsnews.com team in 2018, prior to which she worked for outlets including Al Jazeera, Monocle, and Vice News.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (88653)
Related
- Judge says Mexican ex-official tried to bribe inmates in a bid for new US drug trial
- National Donut Day 2024 deals: Get free food at Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts, Sheetz
- Gilgo Beach suspect charged in more slayings; new evidence called a 'blueprint' to kill
- The costs of World War II and the war in Ukraine fuse as Allies remember D-Day without Russia
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- Dispute over mailed ballots in a New Jersey county delays outcome of congressional primary
- Trump outpaces Biden and RFK Jr. on TikTok in race for young voters
- Involuntary manslaughter case dropped against 911 dispatcher in Pennsylvania woman’s death
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- Jurors in Hunter Biden’s trial hear from the clerk who sold him the gun at the center of the case
Ranking
- Hidden Home Gems From Kohl's That Will Give Your Space a Stylish Refresh for Less
- Chanel artistic director Virginie Viard to depart label without naming successor
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Center Court
- Over 1.2 million rechargeable lights are under recall for fire hazards, following one reported death
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- College Football Playoff 12-team bracket and schedule for 2024-25 season announced
- Kevin Costner said he refused to shorten his 17-minute eulogy for Whitney Houston: I was her imaginary bodyguard.
- Migrants are rattled and unsure as deportations begin under new rule halting asylum
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Biden border action prompts concern among migrant advocates: People are going to have fewer options to access protection
Matt Rife Shares He's Working on Getting Better After Medical Emergency
Supreme Court sides with Native American tribes in health care funding dispute with government
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Ground black pepper sold nationwide recalled for possible salmonella risk, FDA says
Dakota Fanning Reveals Unconventional Birthday Gift Tom Cruise Has Given Her Every Year Since She Was 12
'Big Little Lies' Season 3: What we know