Latest news with #TheLouvre
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ask not for whom the Louvre of Bluesky tolls, it tolls for thee
It's a sad weekend over at Bluesky, where one of the best accounts has disappeared — although we can still hope for its resurrection. Known as The Louvre of Bluesky, the account in question struck fear into the hearts of bad posters everywhere. While it posted commentary and jokes of its own, its most brutally funny and haunting work came in the form of screenshots capturing rogue Bluesky posts in all their unhinged glory. It's hard to write a proper appreciation now that the Louvre has vanished, and it's truly impossible to create a full taxonomy of the all varieties of poster's disease it managed to capture in the wild. Perhaps the defining characteristic of a Louvre of Bluesky post — beyond the simple failure to get a joke — was its scolding tone, along with a sense of absolute outrage that someone, somewhere might be having fun on the internet. Maybe I'm projecting too much onto a screenshot-filled anonymous social media account, but to me, it always felt like the exact opposite of the tedious, ad nauseum complaints that Bluesky is a liberal echo chamber. This wasn't someone who'd spent a few minutes on the site just to confirm their suspicions and write the umpteenth version of the same op-ed. Whether they loved Bluesky or hated it, whoever operated the account clearly knew the site's darkest corners; they understood what absolute weirdos its users could be. The account also felt, at times, like a warning — that any of us, in a moment of weakness, could post something clueless or cringe. Just knowing the Louvre of Bluesky was out there was enough to scare me (not often enough, I'm sure) into deleting a couple of dumb or obvious replies. So where has the Louvre of Bluesky gone? In a post on Patreon, the account's author said it would be taken down 'temporarily' due to 'a loser and a coward' emailing their bosses and their wife's bosses. They added that they're 'not sure if the account will stay closed.' It's not much to go on. I can only hope that like the real museum, the Louvre of Bluesky will be able to reopen soon. But even if it doesn't, its spirit will continue haunting all of us who remember we're just a few keystrokes away from being immortalized for a bad post.
TechCrunch
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TechCrunch
Ask not for whom the Louvre of Bluesky tolls, it tolls for thee
It's a sad weekend over at Bluesky, where one of the best accounts has disappeared — although we can still hope for its resurrection. Known as The Louvre of Bluesky, the account in question struck fear into the hearts of bad posters everywhere. While it posted commentary and jokes of its own, its most brutally funny and haunting work came in the form of screenshots capturing rogue Bluesky posts in all their unhinged glory. It's hard to write a proper appreciation now that the Louvre has vanished, and it's truly impossible to create a full taxonomy of the all varieties of poster's disease it managed to capture in the wild. Perhaps the defining characteristic of a Louvre of Bluesky post — beyond the simple failure to get a joke — was its scolding tone, along with a sense of absolute outrage that someone, somewhere might be having fun on the internet. Maybe I'm projecting too much onto a screenshot-filled anonymous social media account, but to me, it always felt like the exact opposite of the tedious, ad nauseum complaints that Bluesky is a liberal echo chamber. This wasn't someone who'd spent a few minutes on the site just to confirm their suspicions and write the umpteenth version of the same op-ed. Whether they loved Bluesky or hated it, whoever operated the account clearly knew the site's darkest corners; they understood what absolute weirdos its users could be. The account also felt, at times, like a warning — that any of us, in a moment of weakness, could post something clueless or cringe. Just knowing the Louvre of Bluesky was out there was enough to scare me (not often enough, I'm sure) into deleting a couple of dumb or obvious replies. So where has the Louvre of Bluesky gone? In a post on Patreon, the account's author said it would be taken down 'temporarily' due to 'a loser and a coward' emailing their bosses and their wife's bosses. They added that they're 'not sure if the account will stay closed.' It's not much to go on. I can only hope that like the real museum, the Louvre of Bluesky will be able to reopen soon. But even if it doesn't, its spirit will continue haunting all of us who remember we're just a few keystrokes away from being immortalized for a bad post. Techcrunch event Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
How the race for a selfie with Mona Lisa forces the world's largest art museum ‘The Louvre' to shut down
The Louvre in Paris, the most visited art museum in the world and home to the iconic Mona Lisa, was unexpectedly shut down on Monday after staff went on strike. The sudden closure left thousands of tourists waiting outside with no explanation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Workers say the museum is buckling under the strain of mass tourism, chronic understaffing and deteriorating infrastructure. With more than 8 million visitors last year, the Louvre has become a symbol of how unchecked tourism can overwhelm even the grandest cultural institutions. The strike follows growing unrest across Europe where cities are pushing back against the impact of overtourism. For Louvre workers, the breaking point has arrived. Their message is clear. It is not just about protecting great art. It is also about protecting the people who care for it every day. Mona Lisa's home 'The Louvre' flooded by visitors The Louvre has seen war and terror and even survived a global pandemic but it is the daily crush of modern tourism that has brought it to a halt. Staff walked out without warning during a routine meeting saying they could no longer handle the pressure of enormous crowds and poor working conditions. Striking workers described their jobs as 'untenable,' citing chronic understaffing, heat stress, and long-neglected infrastructure like leaky ceilings and poor ventilation. Many say they are exhausted by the relentless pace and overwhelmed by a space not designed to handle millions of annual visitors. The Mona Lisa and the selfie storm At the heart of the chaos is the Mona Lisa painting. More than 20,000 people pack into the Salle des etats (a room in the museum) every day to get a photo with the famous portrait. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Most barely notice the other masterpieces in the room. Visitors describe the scene as loud and stressful with pushing and phones blocking the view. Some liken it to a celebrity appearance rather than an art experience. Despite the painting's fame, the overcrowding makes it nearly impossible to appreciate her properly. Louvre staff say this daily mob has turned the gallery into a pressure cooker, with little relief in sight. Government's plan to reduce crowding President Emmanuel Macron has announced a major renovation plan that includes a new entrance and a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa by 2031. But staff say they can't wait years for relief. They point to leaking ceilings and rising temperatures that put both people and priceless art at risk. A wider tourist overcrowding The Louvre strike came just a day after anti-tourism protests swept through cities like Venice and Barcelona. Activists there say tourism is damaging local life. At the Louvre, it is damaging the experience itself. Many say the museum has turned into a crowded funnel rather than a place for reflection. Temporary solution and uncertain future Some staff may return briefly to allow access to a few key artworks including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The full reopening could happen by Wednesday. Tourists with missed tickets may be allowed in later but no firm plans have been confirmed. Despite record attendance and rising ticket prices the Louvre has seen its government funding cut over the past decade. Workers say the state is ignoring urgent problems while using the museum for political prestige. For now France's greatest museum stands at a crossroads between glory and exhaustion.
News18
17-06-2025
- News18
Home To The Mona Lisa, Paris' Louvre Shuts Down Amidst Overtourism Crisis
Last Updated: The Louvre, one of the world's most visited museums, came to an abrupt halt on Monday. A holiday in Paris is incomplete without a trip to the Louvre. The iconic art museum is home to some of the most stunning pieces of art, including the Mona Lisa. However, on Monday, the museum came to an abrupt halt as its staff walked off the job, protesting what they described as unbearable working conditions amid surging tourist numbers. Crowds of visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of iconic works like the Mona Lisa were instead met with motionless lines outside the The Louvre 's famed glass pyramid structure. What began as a routine meeting escalated into a full-blown strike, with museum workers – including ticket clerks, gallery attendants, and security – refusing to return to their posts. Their primary complaint: extreme overcrowding and inadequate support, which have made daily operations physically and mentally exhausting. This is not the first time Louvre employees have taken collective action. Similar walkouts occurred in 2013 and 2019, but according to union representatives, the pressure has never been more intense. The museum welcomed more than 8.7 million visitors last year, straining both its infrastructure and its workforce. Reports suggest that staff are grappling with a lack of adequate rest areas, outdated facilities, and a building ill-equipped to handle such volumes. According to The Washington Post, Louvre President Laurence des Cars admitted in an internal memo that sections of the historic building are no longer weatherproof. Fluctuating temperatures, she warned, risk damaging priceless artworks. She described the museum environment as 'a physical ordeal" for both employees and guests. To address long-standing concerns, French President Emmanuel Macron recently revealed a sweeping ten-year overhaul called the 'Louvre New Renaissance.' This plan includes a new dedicated entrance for the Mona Lisa, which alone attracts around 20,000 visitors daily to the Salle des États, according to the Associated Press. While the initiative aims to modernise the museum over time, staff argue that it fails to address urgent problems. With no short-term solutions in sight, the Louvre now finds itself at a crossroads: an international cultural landmark buckling under the weight of its popularity. First Published: June 17, 2025, 12:39 IST
Mint
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Why did the Louvre, world's most-visited museum, shut its doors to visitors? Shocked visitor says…
Guess even she needs a day off. Mona Lisa – arguably the greatest portrait ever painted. At least, that's what one of the shocked visitors felt as they waited outside The Louvre in Paris. The world's most-visited museum shut down on June 16. This was not due to war or disaster but because its own staff went on strike. The Louvre is home to famous art, such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Workers like security guards and ticket agents refused duty. They protested against massive tourist crowds, poor staffing and tough working conditions. Thousands of confused visitors stood outside with tickets as staff like gallery guards and ticket agents refused to work. In 2024, the Louvre Museum in Paris saw 8.7 million visitors, double its capacity. Staff say it lacks resting areas, has too few toilets, and becomes too hot in summer due to the glass pyramid. AP cited a leaked memo from Louvre President Laurence des Cars that revealed water leaks, poor temperature control that could damage art and poor visitor facilities. The conditions are far below international standards, according to the president. The sudden strike happened during a regular meeting and shocked many especially as similar anti-tourism protests happened in other cities like Venice and Barcelona. Unlike other sites in France like Notre Dame and Centre Pompidou, which are being restored, the Louvre's upgrade is stuck. 'It's the Mona Lisa moan out here. Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off,' Associated Press quoted 62-year-old American tourist Kevin Ward as saying. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a long-term plan to fix the Louvre's problems. The plan is to fix leaks and old infrastructure. However, staff say changes feel too far away. 'We can't wait six years for help. Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art — it's about the people protecting it,' said Sarah Sefian, a front-of-house gallery attendant and visitor services agent. Renovation plans may be funded through ticket sales, donations, state funds and income from the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices for non-EU visitors may rise. However, workers feel the improvements are urgent and can't wait 10 years. President Macron has promised changes by the end of the decade. But, the staff say they can't wait for 10 years.
