Animal Cruelty In The Name Of Art

Video Title :	Animal Cruelty In The Name Of Art
Description :	UPDATE: Peta talks about Natividad on their website. http://blog.peta.org/archives/2008/04/artist_starving.php UPDATE: Taken from the United States Humane Society Webpage. Q. Is it true that a Central American artist used a starving dog in an art exhibit? We are aware of this story and have asked our contacts in Central America for more information. According to local animal welfare organizations, the dog was in a state of starvation when he was captured from the street for display in the exhibit. We have also been informed that the dog spent one day in the exhibit and later escaped the gallery. We do not condone the actions of this so-called "artist," and condemn the use of live animals in exhibits such as this. An animal welfare organization in Honduras, where the next art show will be held, is keeping close watch on the case and assures us that the artist will not repeat his objectionable exhibit. Sadly, thousands of street dogs in Central America are in as poor shape as this one. HSI works throughout the world to prevent the circumstances that allow such a tragic event to take place. We encourage you to learn more about our street animal welfare programs. *********************************** An "Artist" by the name of Guillermo "Habacuc" Vargas Jimenez (habacuc being his stage name) was in the Bienarte 2007 (art exhibit) in Managua, Nicaragua. He himself is from Costa Rica. There he displayed a very sick and starving stray dog. Habacuc named the dog "Natividad", (which means birth). He tied Natividad up under a sign he made on the wall entitled "Eres Lo Que Lees", "You Are What You Read". The letters were made of kibbles. Hundreds of visitors to the art exhibit passed by, a few animal lovers asked for the dog to be released but Vargas refused. Natividad died. Vargas won first prize for his display of art, which he says was to illustrate the real problem of stray dogs and to "sensitize" the people to their deaths. He has now been asked to participate in the upcoming "Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008", "Bienarte 2008 in Central America Honduras" that will be held in November 2008. Though there is a HUGE online petition to ban said "artist" he is still listed as one of the participants. for more info check these websites. Mr.Jaime Sancho the creator of the petition has a blog with all up to date info. Its in spanish and can be found here. http://www.ea6gk.org/ An english "mirror" to Jaime's site can be found here http://reiskeks-natividad.blogspot.com/ The petition to ban this artist is here. It's in spanish. http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/ For the english translation of said petition please look here http://reiskeks-natividad.blogspot.com/2007/10/quick-babelfish-translation-of-spanish.html. And please check http://bp1.blogger.com/_p41p3qmEwXo/RxoKx2_KfFI/AAAAAAAAC5c/-ATGOpDmgQQ/s1600-h/Bildschirmfoto.png to see how to correctly fill out the form since there was apparently a coding error. It's suppose to translate to "Name:, Email:, City:, and Country:"
Views :	104009
Rating :	4.13
Keywords, Tags :	guillermo habacuc vargas jimenez natividad birth animal cruelty abuse dog died death bienarte 2007 2008 art starved
Video Length :	3 : 5

Comments :

Habacuc is no longer listed at the bienarte site so this video has now served its purpose. Remember Natividad, and don't allow this type of "art" or any type of imitation to happen again. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition.

I created this vid when I had just found out about this and was very angry. In the meantime I've done TONS of research and believe that Natividad died and was NOT fed. When dogs are fed, their stomachs inflate and natividad's did not. I encourage all of you to do your own research and help stop animal cruelty in your own communities.

And if you'd like to test my knowledge in owning pets I'll have you know in my entire life I've had at LEAST 5 dogs, 4 cats, 4 guinea pigs, 2 rabbits, gerbils-- the works! AND I'm an artist so I can relate with this and how even if everyone says that it's not art, that's not new to the art world. People are always saying what is and isn't art. Stop being so angry and do something to help the cause if you're not! That was the point of this installation. Now be very mad and adopt a pet today! :)

Excuse my typo *And as far as being teased and crap at the exhibit. On the street--* anyways, people are still so hung up on the fact that he killed and starved this dog when in fact he did NOT. I'm sick of that argument and it needs to stop. I JUST found out and did my research on BOTH sides. I was mad like everyone else too but then I realized I can't be mad at something I don't know anything about. I'm GLAD people are getting upset, it's working. I'm adopted a cat today, I'm doing my part.

congratz on adopting your kitty.

You are blind to what art is and CAN be. Like the artist said, he did not STARVE this dog, he fed it before and after the exhibit. And if he didn't make up his previous story and made an uproar instead of "painting a picture" Do you think it would bring awareness like this? I think not. And as far as being teased and crap on the street at the exhibit. Kids throw rocks, people kick these dogs, kill them because they're 'pests'. Shoot, I'd rather be tied up inside to raise awareness and be fed.

um, I haven't really done research on this, but there's a facebook page on this. And there's photographs too, so there must be some truth in it. Anyhow, even if he didn't kill this poor defenseless dog, it is still torture. And he really doesn't deserve to be called an artist.

(the next message) dogs when scared would lay down on there back to show subbmisive attertude, to show that they know you are in charge, a dog would be savage if scared and provked! you "technogoddess" are an imbersil for not noticeing that this is crulty to raise a point, he couldent just paint a painting like most artists, no he had to be a A-hole and think it would be better to watch a dog starve to death! this is not art, its clear crulty to animals!

i think you fail to see that when the dog is on the street, it can still search or scavengen for food. but when it is chianed in a room, it cant do anything. dogs may be caged or chained in the USA for longer than 3 hours, but they dont let them starve to death! i would also like to make a remark about your point of "if the dog was scared, it would be sitting in the courner insted of just sitting there" like hell would it! (read next message!)

you are just as sick and twisted as he is to agree. At least on the streets he will die a natural way without being teased and watched by cruel disgusting people. this is not art this is pure and utter cruelty.