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A Dead Dog as Art? Petition

October 16, 2007 | By Admin In Animal Advocacy, Crimes Against Canines, Dog(s) Starved, Malnourished, Just Sad :(, News & Updates, Petitions, Torture |

Dead Dog as art

This story is from Costa Rica and is just stunning in it’s cruelty and depravity. Dead dog as art

A Costa Rican artist found himself in hot water with the animal protection people in his home country after using a starving, sick street dog as part of an exposition in Managua, Nicaragua, in August. Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas allegedly found the dog tied up on a street corner in a poor Nicaragua barrio and brought it to the showing. He tied the dog, according to furious animal lovers, in a corner of the salon where it died after a day. Habacuc’s exhibition included a legend spelled out in dog food reading “You are what you read,” photos and an incense burner that burned an ounce of marijauna and 175 “rock’ of crack cocaine. In the background, according to reports, the Sandista national anthem played backwards. According to the artist, his “art” was a tribute to Natividad Canda, a Nicaraguan burglar killed in Costa Rica by two rottweilers guarding property he had entered at night. The incident caused friction between the two countries. Habacuc told the daily La Nacion, “I won’t say the dog died. The importance to me is the hypocracy of the people where an animal is the focus of attention where people come to see art but not when it’s in the street starving to death.” “The same thing happened with poor Natividad Canda. The people sympathized with him only after he was dead,” the artist added. The artist apparently is unaware that at least three large, active organizations are dedicated in Costa Rica to the protection of animals and that several persons have been prosecuted for cruelty to animals. They are hampered in their efforts by the old Hispanic customs of disregard for animal welfare and by a lack of funding. (Costa Rica Blogs)

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This was reposted by Maria Danes, the British singer who did so many tribute songs Sick & starving stray dog used as art including for Mercy, the burned pitbull and Tobey, the tortured 5 month old Chihuahua mix puppy.

Written by Vesna Jones -

Dear friends, this is very cruel and sad. An “artist” from Costa Rica, named Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, put a starved dog as a work of art, the poor dog died there, he did not want anyone give him food or water. This monster asked some children to chase the dog and he paid them for their dirty work to give him the dog. In that event, (in which the dog died) he was chosen to represent his country in the “Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008″, the petition site is to sign to boycott him , so he won’t can participate in the event

Please, take a moment a sign it!

Petition

Dog Starved as art Below is a translation of the petition. It is a ’strict’ translation but you should be able to understand it. When you sign it, you are asked for your name, email address, Ciudad / Localidad: (required) = city and PaÃs: (required) = country.

PETITION

Boycott to the presence of Guillermo Habacuc Vargas in the Central American Biennial Honduras 2008

View Current Signatures - Sign the Petition

To: Central American biennial Depth 2008 14 September 2007 - Of http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/septiembre/14/aldea1239344.html In the middle of polÃ©mica, the Costa Rican Biennial of Visual Arts (Bienarte) 2007 inaugurÃ³ last night strict and pequeÃ±a selecciÃ³n of works and premiÃ³ to six artists with happens torepresent paÃs in the Central American Biennial Honduras 2008. The artists awarded in this sixth ediciÃ³n of the prestigious appointment of art contemporÃ neon were Errol Barrantes, Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, Oscar Figueroa, Mimiam Hsu, Esteban Stone and â??La band of the submergedones (Sila Chanto and Jhafis Quintero).

The jury, integrated by Ana Sokoloff (Colombia), Oliver Debroise (MÃ©xico) and Rodolfo Kronfle Chambers (Ecuador), escogiÃ³ with work base of great quality and excellent coherence between idea and ejecuciÃ³n, segÃºn detailed. the Bienarte is organized by the Industralists by the Art.

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One of the “artists”, Guillermo Habacuc Vargas (http://www.marcaacme.com/blogs/analog/index.php/2007/08/22/5_piezas_de_habacuc) permitiÃ³ the death of a dog by inaniciÃ³n during the event.

He is inadmissible that pisoteen of this form the rights of the animals and that the “artist” had gathered it of the street to let it die moored with a cord to the wall of galerÃa when she had the opportunity of not making it or even save it.

Of the Blog de Rodrigo PeÃ±alba

http://www.marcaacme.com/blogs/analog/index.php/2007/08/22/5_piezas_de_habacuc

“SegÃºn I knew to the dog muriÃ³ to dÃa following by lack of food. During inauguraciÃ³n I knew that the dog was persecuted in the evening between the houses of aluminum and cartÃ³n of a district of Managua with santo name who Habacuc that could not need at the moment.

5 niÃ±os of which they helped in the capture received 10 bonds of cÃ³rdobas by his colaboraciÃ³n. During exhibiciÃ³n some people requested the freedom of the small dog, to which Ã©l artist rehusÃ³.

The name of the dog was (it was) Natividad, and I let myself to him die of at sight hunger of all, as if the death of a poor dog was a show mediÃ tico impertinent in whom nobody does nothing mÃ s that to applaud or to watch disturbed.”

Nothing we can do by this dog but if to treat of which the organizers of the Central American Biennial Honduras 2008 do not admit this “maltratador artist” of animals. I request to you you adhere to this request and that you spread mÃ s that is to you possible shameful east act to gather mÃ ximo of companies and to veto it in the biennial.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

View Current Signatures

The Boycott to the presence of Guillermo Habacuc Vargas in the Central American Biennial Honduras 2008 Petition to Central American Biennial Depth 2008 was created by to the cruelty with the animals and does not written by Jaime Sancho torellÃ³ (jaime.sancho@gmail.com).

This petition is hosted here AT www.PetitionOnline.com ace to public service. There is not endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. Technical For support please uses our simple Petition Help form.

This was passed along to me as the ‘artist’s MySpace page - You can check it out.

EXHIBITION IS TAKING PLACE AT:

Gallery Website

Email Address:
info@madc.ac.cr

Location:
Centro Nacional de la Cultura
Antigua Fábrica Nacional de Licores.
Avenida 3, calle 15/17. San José, Costa Rica.
Teléfono: (506) 257 7202 / 257 9370
Fax: (506) 257 8702

Sample Letter to Send the Gallery
I am writing regarding the horrifying actions of Guillermo Habacuc Vargas,who paid local children to catch a dog on the street and then confined,starved and publicly displayed the dog as an “art” exhibit until the innocent animal died of starvation.

I along with many people world wide am outraged t hat Guillermo habacuc Vargas has been selected to represent Costa Rica in “Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008″,This man is by no definition of the word an artist he is a criminally insane sadist and enjoys inflicting prolonged suffering upon his innocent victims.he is a danger to all of society as it is well documented that those with the capacity to intentionally cause harm to an animal have the same capacity to harm humans.

To state that this animal would have died eventually of natural causes is unjustifiable and beyond logical,rational thinking.

'Art' - dead dog on display To allow Guillermo habacuc Vargas to represent Costa Rica in Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008 will in no way benefit Costa Rica,the world is watching and the actions of this so called artist has brought much negative assumptions as to the humanity of the people of Costa Rica and the fact that the many witnesses of this animals suffering did nothing and that the organizers of this event allowe d this rather than taking action to see that Guillermo Vargas be criminally charged with animal abuse is sending the world a message that Costa Rica consists of a cruel,uncivilized society that has no regard for life but enjoys viewing and contributing to the loss of life.

Each and every person who knew of and witnessed the suffering of this innocent dog is equally as guilty of causing it’s uncalled for death.

And to let this crime go unpunished and instead be awarded by Guillermo Vargas representing Costa Rica in Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008 is unacceptable and shameful not only to Costa Rica but to all participants of this event.

I urge you,do not condone the heinous actions of Guillermo Vargas by allowing him to participation in Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008.He should be jailed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of law for this animals death,not representing Costa Rica as an artist for he is not an artist and to refer to him as such is an insult to all true artists.

Sincerely,
Your Name

ANOTHER GALLERY SHOWING HIS WORK
This is the email addy to a gallery which currently holds some of vargas’ work for display and for sale if anyone would like to ask the gallery to drop him from their list of artists their email address is below.
EMail: info@jacobkarpio-galeria.com

INFORMATION ABOUT EXHIBIT
What he says on his blog (translated) Located HereAccording to I knew the dog died on the following day by lack of food. During the inauguration I knew that the dog was persecuted in the evening between the houses of aluminum and cardboard of a dis trict of Managua with santo name who Habacuc that could not need at the moment. 5 children of whom they helped in the capture received 10 bonds of córdobas by their collaboration. During the exhibition some people requested the freedom of the small dog, to which he artist rehuso. The name of the dog was (it was) Natividad, and I let myself to him die of at sight hunger of all, as if the death of a poor dog was a shameless mediatic show in which nobody does nothing else that to applaud or to watch disturbed. Definitively we are what leimos: pure croquetas. In the place that the dog was exposed single it has left a metal cable and a cord. The dog was extremely ill, renqueaba and it did not want to eat anyway, so in natural surroundings it had died anyway; but thus they are all the poor dogs: sooner or later they die or they die them.

******************************************************

Here are two news sources, they are not in English tho, so for those of you who think this is some kind of a hoax or joke, it’s not!

Foreign News Sources - Nacion.com, ABC.es

From Nacion.com

Exposition carried out in gallery Codex in Nicaragua
Costa Rican artist wrapped in polemics by death of dog in work
‘Habacuc’ collected to hungry animal and used it in its work “Exposition N°1″
Defenders of animals repudiate the action and they ask to exclude artist of biennial

The costa rican artist Guillermo steep Slopes, more known as Habacuc, is wrapped in a great polemics due to the death of a stray dog inside Exposition N° 1, sample that was carried out last August in Managua (Nicaragua).

Various defenders of the animals in Costa Rica were informed of their work through a blog and they accused it yesterday of cruelty.

What was seen in Managua. As part of its exposition, the artist faced Al spectator to a sick, thin stray dog and with hunger hitched to the corner of the room. He captured Al animal in a poor neighborhood of Managua.

The dog died after a day in the exposition, according to it was confirmed to The Nation Marta Leonor González, publisher of the cultural supplement of The Press in Nicaragua.

The sample also included the phrase, written with food of dog, “you Are what read”; as well as of an audio with the Hymn Sandinista Al reverse, photos and a censer, where they burned 175 stones of crack and an ounce of marijuana.

Habacuc said yesterday that its work was a homage to Nativity Locks, Nicaraguan that died after to be attacked by two dogs rottweiler in a workshop in Carthage.

“I reserve me to say if is certain or that not the dog died. What is important for me was the hypocrisy of the people: an animal thus becomes focus of attention when I put it in a white place where the people is going to see art but not when is in the starving street. Equal passed with Nativity Locks, the people was sensitized with him until they were eaten it the dogs”, explained.

Even it added: “Nobody came free Al dog neither gave food or called the police. Nobody did nothing”.

Al to be questioned about if fed Al animal or not, the artist refused to respond.

Why did not it use another middle of expression? “I collect what I look at… The dog is more I live that never because continues giving what to speak”, said.

Costa Rican anger. Various defenders of the rights of the animals repudiated that work of Habacuc, they disqualified him as work of art and they suggested that Al artist be excluded him of the central american Biennial Honduras 2008, since he will be one of the six representatives of the country.

“I frightened me Al to see that is promoted the cruelty toward the animals in a work of art. We will present a letter so that be prohibited the cruelty in the art and so that this boy do not dam you Al country in the biennial”, he expressed Gina Malavassi, champion of the animals.

José Moral, vice president of the Special Unit of Protection and Animal Rescue, he thought. “The dog was hitched and without food; I do not understand in what head that is art”.

Liliam Schnog, president of the Humane Association for the Animal Protection, said that does not understand how was left to die of hunger to an animal if at par there was a done phrase with food.

These organizations study the case in order to seeing if proceeds some accusation.

From ABC.es

The revolting provocation

More wood, this is the war of the scandal “artistic”. After the polemics of the photography of Nam Goldin of the naked girls now we have the most difficult one still, this is, the demonstration of the cruelty “estetizada”. The costa rican artist Guillermo steep Slopes has left to die of hunger to a stray dog in an installation that has mounted in a fair of art in Nicaragua. In a wall he has written, with food of dog, the phrase “you Are what read”, adding olfactory and sonorous actions or, better, narcotic, that convert their piece in the peak of the chaotic thing. Thus the hymn can be listened sandinista Al reverse and to attend burns it, in a censer of 175 stones of crack and an ounce of marijuana. I do not please with that cocktail, the known artist with the nickname of “Habauc” trapped a dog in a slum of Managua and he tied him to one of the walls of his demented assembly. Al following day the animal had deceased.

Homage to Nativity Locks

Facing the indignation generalized and to the criticisms, the responsible for this lamentable action has come to say that its intention is to go against the social hypocrisy. Among its confused intentions was that of honoring to Nativity Locks, that was attacked in Carthage (Nicaragua) for some dogs rottweiler. “The people -underlines steep Slopes- was not sensitized with that man until they were eaten him the dogs”, adding that did neither nobody decide of feeding Al dog that was “exposing”, collaborating of that way to his death. As he is logical, the associations of defenders of the animals have disqualified this supposed work of art.

It is really surprising the proliferation of artistic actions that are characterized for their violence as if they trusted in the homeopathic magic. But it is not certain that in all the circumstances “the similar thing with the similar thing be cured”. The contemporaries we suffer the “syndrome of Jellyfish”, we are, literally, astonished before the all types of screen contemplating horrors without neither our consciences neither our stomachs react. Some artists, become some apprentices of magician, professionals of the rowdy exorcism, they decide to present to what still, inercialmente, they call “middle-class look”, revolting or simply criminal things. Their provocations find the conventional answer: the apathy or the alien shame.

The brutal one “work” of Guillermo steep Slopes carries us to think again in the absurdity of the contemporary art. It obsessed by the taboo one, this is, delivered Al delirium to touch and to desecrate what be, does not pay attention to expenses and gestures. All the gesticulations, supportive with the patty of the reality-show, they finish for carrying us to think that would be necessary to recover the critical capacity or, at least, to accept that, in certain occasions, we are right for the indignation. Because the art cannot be the umbrella for the vandalism and, consistently, would not have that to guarantee the impunity. Chris Burden shot against an airplane Al edge of an airport, Santiago Saw filled a synagogue in Germany of unbreathable gases, Teresa Margolles generates vapor with the water that serves to clean the corpses. In some occasion I have qualified to these contemporary artistic forms traveling through Al term “idiotic”. And it so happens that instead of leaving us astonished or to cause to think, the “cruel realism” in which is installed Guillermo steep Slopes reveals more than the stupidity the cynical compliance of the estetización contemporary. There is not in that obscene exhibition of atrocities another thing that search of media impact. Seems to be that this young artist that swings between the platitude and the politics of the accusation was invited to the next central american Biennial. Its stylistic one was typically “bienalista”; had all the elements of the fashionable sauce: a little soft sociology, a slice of somewhat rough and multicultural rhetoric so that can qualify the indigestible mess as “radical”. Rilke found in the eyes of a doggie abandoned in its peregrinaje Spanish an interrogation metaphysics, something as well as the indication of a melancholy solidarity. Surely, Guillermo steep Slopes has not read those verses rilkeanos in which calls to the dogs that see us to pass “by a world interpreted”. He, with all its decorative rage, does not need the poetry: suffices him with the brutality and to be thus, lacking him so much that to read, an illiterate animalistic one. Its provocation is, simply, revolting.

Translations of both news stories provided by Free Translation.com

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There is no excuse or reason for what this vile ‘artist’ did, to take an obviously sick and starving dog and to put him on exhibition for any reason is deplorable. And just as bad as this so called ‘artist,’ is the gallery officials and spectators who allowed this to happen. They condoned this ‘art form.’

And to think that this sick and twisted excuse for a human being is being honored and has been chosen to represent his country at a celebration is unbelievable. To glory in such neglect and abuse is just appalling! It matters not that this poor dog was going to die anyway as Guillermo Vargas excuses himself for this display. To drag the dog into this gallery, tie him up and leave him to die so pathetically and in such suffering in the view of so many, not even allowing the smallest act of kindness in giving him food or water, how can someone be so cruel and heartless?!?!

Do not allow this ‘artist’ to profit in fame or fortune from his act of depravity!! Please sign the petition, write letters and email to the galleries. Show him that is no way will this be allowed! Let him learn the true meaning of ’starving artist!’

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I want to thank everyone who contributed information, pictures, etc. to put this together and get the word out on this ‘artist.’ Many people have worked and researched and put their time and heart into this and I tried to pull it all together. I wish I knew everyone’s name to thank them personally but the important thing is to bring light to this atrocity and let people know so that something like this does not happen again. Please, get the word out! Post and repost!

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I love hearing your comments but when posting please keep profanities to a minimum and skip the blatant racism. Posts that are considered obscene will be removed. Just try to keep common courtesy in mind.
Comments on this site do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the site owner. Within reason, I believe in giving everyone the right to express their opinion whether I agree with it or not. Thanks!

638 Comments so far

Julie R Stuckey on October 16th, 2007

?Beyond disturbing & leaves me stunned… what a horrible MONSTER. The obvious governmental policies (or the lack there of) of Costa Rica are SICK! The society’s moral standards reflected in this terrible incident are DISEASED. If this goes unpunished & laws protecting the innocent are not created (& enforced), it will show that Costa Rican’s officials are ethically & spiritually EVIL!

I will have this story posted all over the place but it will not help the poor pup who sufferend such a cruel & torturous death:O`(
Admin on October 16th, 2007

Thanks Julie. It may be too late for this poor dog, but what about the next time he decides to use an animal as art since this went over so ‘big’ or if someone else gets the same idea?

Above all, we must do what we can to get the word out that this kind of thing goes on and is obviously condoned. It cannot be allowed!!

D.
Caroline on October 16th, 2007

Hopefully we can get his name out to enough people that will be so disturbed by this that he will never sell anothe piece of art again! What troubles me most is that all those people walking by not one thought to free him or call the authorities???
Jeanette on October 16th, 2007

I have seen sick…..but this takes sick to a whole new level!!!!!!!!!!!!
Echo Canyon on October 17th, 2007

I almost threw up reading this. Give me 10 minutes with this $#*&^%*^%!!!!!!!
Is there no end to the ways humans think up to inflict pain upon loving creatures?????
May he rot in Hell!
Echo C.
Echo Canyon on October 17th, 2007

I cannot seem to get the petition to load. Is there another way to get to it?
Lucky on October 17th, 2007

try this one
http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html
Admin on October 17th, 2007

Echo, here’s the URL - http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html
Maybe that will work for you.

Deanna
"Gee" on October 17th, 2007

I had to blog this, I am still grieving over this poor dog and angry that a human could be so sickening to call the starvation and abuse of an animal as art. Whatever message this so-called “artist” wanted to get across, could have been done without hurting any living thing. It truly makes me ill that there are people in the world who can allow this to happen. I signed the petition; I hope he receives the appropriate consequences for his actions. I have a feeling he will….by someone who is a defender of animal rights.
del negro emmanuelle on October 18th, 2007

cet artiste est le diable en personne!
provoquer la souffrance animale me désole toujours, mais la provoquer au nom de l’art est une pure abomination! il n’y a donc aucune loi interdisant ce genre de pratiques?
et les spectateurs de cet horrible tragédie, qu’ont-ils dans le coeur? ont-ils tout simplement un coeur?

**Translated per Admin - This artist is the devil in person! Provoke the animal suffering grieves me always, but to provoke it in the name of the art is a pure abomination! it has not therefore any law forbidding this practice kind? And the spectators of this horrible tragedy, that do they have in the heart? do they have all simply a heart?**
Tony Groenendijk on October 18th, 2007

Everything in the name of Art??? Next put a baby in a box and see how it dies???? This idiot must be shot in his head.
‘Artist’ Chains Up Dog Until It Dies… Is This Art? Or Animal Abuse? | The GinBlog | Less Talk, More Stab... on October 18th, 2007

[…] reading that and digging around, I found this site with a little more information on the incident: A Costa Rican artist found himself in hot water with the animal protection people […]
thomas on October 18th, 2007

Nice piece of art mister habacuc, next time you molest your children, dont forget to show the world the videos you made
Eric on October 18th, 2007

People like him are the reason humanity is so shitty. He should die.
Jarrod on October 18th, 2007

I won’t try to defend this guy, but all the aforementioned comments about how he should “die” and “be shot” are embarrassing and equally offensive. People who truly value life (be it a dog’s life or a human life) don’t respond like this. Please grow up or get off the internet.

Also, the artist wrote “The importance to me is the hypocrisy of the people where an animal is the focus of attention where people come to see art but not when it’s in the street starving to death.”

So… where exactly is the outrage for all the dogs dying in the streets? Hell, where’s the outrage over the human beings dying in the streets? And what is anyone doing about it? Signing an online petition doesn’t count.

You see, most of the aforementioned comments nicely support the artist’s statement. As predicted, and as is often the case, the issue-at-hand is the focus only after it’s reached a point of no return, but not when there’s still time to do something about it.

Hypocrisy, indeed.

(And yes, it’s a shame a dog had to die for the artist to make this point. I’m sure there must have been other, less permanent ways to convey the same message).
steve on October 18th, 2007

How do we really know this is real and not a stunt or internet rouse. I have looked around and have not seen one major news source report this story. I only see animal rights and blogger sites carrying the story. All use the same set of images. I am not saying it is not true and if it is so this is horrible and we should boycott the artist and bring this to everyones attention. But first before we all spend hours on this (and not on other animal work we would be doing) we should significantly verify it.

Can anyone show a verifiable news outlet version of this story.
Chris on October 19th, 2007

Jarrod has it right.

The dog died after just one day. It would have been different if he started with a healthy dog and let it die, but this one was already gone. Maybe he could have saved it. You can save one dog, that’s no challenge. You can’t save them all, that’s futile. If you find the idea of suffering dogs distasteful, the solution is to create an environment where they can’t exist. Saving the ones that do exist isn’t a solution, at best it’s a hobby and at worst it’s a waste of resources.

The only thing he could have done better would be to put the dog on display for a shorter time, and then euthanize it in front of the crowd, but that would have made a different statement, so I won’t hold it against him this time.
Marat on October 19th, 2007

An idea here:

Would it not be cool if this guy also gets chained up, and not just anywhere, but in that same art-gallery, right in that same exact spot where he chained up the dog, with photos of that dog exhibit right above him, especially this one, and him in those same chains in which he starved the dog, and for all the people visiting the art gallery to walk by, and to see
Moui on October 19th, 2007

Let’s tie the artist to a string in a corner, and not feed him. When he complains of hunger, tell him its the all the name of art…… I’m sure he’ll change his point of view real fast.
JJ Dutch on October 19th, 2007

Jarrod,

You’re comments are as disingeneous as is the ‘rationale’ used by the ‘artist’ to excuse this atrocity. People who truly value life, who are still in posession of some humanity, recognize evil for what it is and want to do something about it.

The artist took ownership of the dog as soon as he payed the kids that had trapped the dog. He therefor had a moral obligation to take care of this particular dog. One he chose to ignore. Seemingly without any pangs of conscience, whatsoever. That makes him a sociopath.

What this ‘art’ shows has nothing to do with the ‘hypocrisy’ of people. It just shows the depths of immorality the art scene has reached. And you’re excusing of the artist in sacrificing a defenceless and innocent dog for the ‘greater good’ of supposedly demonstrating mans hypocrisy illustrates exactly what is so scary about collectivist thinking. There evidently is no atrocity that cannot be excused by reffering to the greater good, whatever the hell that is.

I mean no disrespect, but your comments truly make me sick to my stomach.
Admin on October 19th, 2007

Steve, I posted two news sources and translated them for you and anyone else who doubts the veracity of this story. It is not a joke or a stunt, it is very real!!

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read and get the message out. Please understand that this is about more than the death of one dog, which is sad enough. It is about the absolute lack of compassion and heart this ‘artist’ showed in dragging a sick, starving and suffering living creature into this gallery and putting it on display.

He did not just take a picture of this dog, he displayed it in all its agony, in its dying moments and allowed no one to offer any kindness to a living creature.

This is not art!!! This is animal cruelty, plain and simple! And I don’t care what ‘point’ he was trying to make, you don’t make a point at the cost of an innocent and defenseless living creature’s life! And no one should be given honors for such depravity!!
S Roberts on October 19th, 2007

This is sick- This person should have the book thrown at him !! This is NOT ART !!! God is watching everyone that does sick things like this- Your day before the Judge is coming . You deserve to represent nothing !!
Marita on October 19th, 2007

Hi! It is obvious that you haven´t seen everything yet. This was true sickness and even if the artist had talked about hypocrisy, he could have given the dog food and care and shown to us all that HE CARED. To blaim this event on what he wants to show about people who care or not is not ok. We all have a choice and for him, to “earn” his minutes of fame this is also hypocrisy. If he really cared, he could have given the dog a meal instead or just left in in the street. Is there no limit to human abuse of animals?
Jarrod on October 19th, 2007

JJ Dutch,

Your comments seems to suggest that the only acceptable reaction to this is one that vehemently condemns the artist. That’s the only example of “collectivist thinking” here.

Don’t get me wrong, it sickens me to think that people would allow something like this to happen. But it’s wrong to apply your own personal moral code to the situation. When you do so, you miss out on the bigger picture.

You cannot speak of “moral obligation” like it’s some universal Absolute. As seen through someone else’s eyes, there are “moral obligations” you or I choose to ignore on a daily basis. You can’t just look at this as black and white, or good and evil.

Consider the following: The context of this piece is Costa Rica, where feral, malnourished dogs run rampant through the streets. It’s a common sight, not unlike rats in some cities. Do the inhabitants of those cities have a “moral obligation” to care for these animals? What about other cities, where rodents roam the streets? Is their life less valuable? Do we have a moral obligation to do something? What about “feral” humans? Surely the most popular response is to look the other way. Throughout the world, the “standard” practice for dealing with stray dogs is euthanizing them. How do you reconcile the calculated execution of animals in the name of morality and a “humane death”? Surely you are aware that throughout parts of this world, dog is a foodstuff, not unlike chicken or beef. Is eating a dog barbaric? How do you think a Hindu feels when you chow down on a burger? What moral obligation did the attendees to this exhibit have? Should we be equally mad at them? Possibly more mad, due to their complete inaction? What penalties, if any, should society impose on people who choose to look the other way?

Look, I don’t have the answers to any of these. Anyone but the most closed-minded individual will see that there’s more to this than sadistic animal snuff. The fact that we are engaging in a dialogue here about the nature of moral obligations, immorality, and the value of life once its gone confirms that this is indeed art (however gruesome it may be), as the purpose of art (particularly the conceptual kind) is to provoke, incite a response, and encourage dialogue, which this does. Animal cruelty and thought-provoking art needn’t be mutually exclusive.
Carl on October 19th, 2007

So to all the people who are OUTRAGED about this…

…what are you doing NOW to help other starving dogs?
Reguarding Art, and the Killing of Things - Gamingforce Interactive Forums on October 19th, 2007

[…] of disregard for animal welfare and by a lack of funding. original article can be found HERE. THIS one has pics and more bias. So I saw this article (or an article linking to this article) on Digg […]
Echo Canyon on October 19th, 2007

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered?
Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished.” Jeremiah 12:4
“All the animals in the forest are Mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are Mine and all living things in the fields.” Psalm 50:10, 11
“A good man takes care of his animals, but wicked men are cruel to theirs.” Proverbs 12:10
Moonbattery on October 19th, 2007

Dog Publicly Starved to Death as Art…

Just when you though modern art couldn’t possibly get any more senseless and depraved: Costa Rican artist Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas found a dog tied up at a street corner in a Nicaraguan barrio and used it in an art exhibit…….
elles on October 19th, 2007

How can someone do this to such a sweet dog?? Saddam Hussain did it too but he was man enough to set the dog free when someone asked him for it. This ‘artist’ is a piece of SHIT.
Heather on October 19th, 2007

This is just beyond words! I would like to see this person go through the same thing. My God when will people get a clue and wake up. I am so sick of the abuse directed towards animals. People can talk, animals cant. If animals are so disposable then why did God put them here on this earth in the fisrt place. It says in the bible to respect all living things. The judgement is in the end……….
ranjangpanas on October 19th, 2007

lets tie the “artist” to the corner and leave him rot there
jkp on October 19th, 2007

It’s not the fact that the dog died, it’s the way it died. It was sadistic and somebody should douse this guy in gasoline and light the fucker up.
guillermo cedillo ostos on October 19th, 2007

! Qué poca madre tienes al hacer ese tipo de exhibiciones, deberían de colgarte de los huevos , porqué no pones a tu madre imbécil !

**Translated by FreeTranslations - ! How little mother you have Al to do that type of exhibitions, they owe to hang you of the eggs, reason do not put your stupid mother! **
Fiberal on October 19th, 2007

This Guillermo Habacuc Vargas POS needs to be prosecuted, as does that sick gallery.

Does anyone have information about a legal team in Costa Rica willing to take this on?

Post on here.
bucka on October 19th, 2007

SICK BASTARD!!! Tie him up and let him starve to death in a corner and we can all go watch…..sure it can be called art, then he can say he died for something worthwhile, the cunt!!!!!
ld on October 19th, 2007

Jarrod wrote:
“The fact that we are engaging in a dialogue here about the nature of moral obligations, immorality, and the value of life once its gone confirms that this is indeed art (however gruesome it may be), as the purpose of art (particularly the conceptual kind) is to provoke, incite a response, and encourage dialogue, which this does.”

Child abuse, corruption in government, and plane crashes also provoke responses and dialogue on the nature of moral obligations and the value of life. So do murder, rape, genocide and war. Based on the above definition, why should any of these also not qualify as art? The notion that certain actions are justified based wholly on the kind of response they engender–and therefore should be MANUFACTURED for that purpose–simply does not hold water in practice.
Jarrod on October 19th, 2007

@ld: I did not mean to imply that “certain actions are justified based wholly on the kind of response they engender.”

Instead, I was addressing those that say this is not art because they don’t happen to like it or understand it. Being “art” doesn’t necessarily justify its existence… but encouraging dialogue, provoking a response, etc., justifies it as art. The two concepts are unrelated.

Truthfully, I believe it is art, as do gallery owners, art aficionados, the local government, etc… Bear in mind that just because it’s art doesn’t mean you have to like it. I can gladly acknowledge its artistic merit, and then spit in the face of the artist for pulling a cheap, relatively un-clever stunt at the expensive of a living creature. It still remains art (albeit bad art).

(Oh, and seriously trying to compare a neglected dog that starved to death with murder, rape, genocide, and war doesn’t really lend much credibility to your argument. This news is sad and upsetting, yes, but please keep things in perspective.)
mike on October 19th, 2007

i have got no words for this, this is no art this is murder
Thomas on October 19th, 2007

Yes, it is art, but the concept is so poor !
It has been done thousands of time through history, even with humans !
The artist should review his classics.
I suggest him to eat his own brain.
Man, THIS is conceptually strong.

When the concept and the technic are so poor, the art is very very low.

Probably all these uneducated thugs felt that watching a dog dying was HYPE,
perhaps they thought it could leverage their social status by some sort of buzz.
Katelyn on October 19th, 2007

awwww… that’s so sad! how would he like to be tied up and starve to death?
CESAR on October 19th, 2007

VERY CRUEL AND SAD !!!HOW WOULD THIS COWARD LIKE THIS DONE TO HIM!!
pedro on October 19th, 2007

This is the most shity thing I have read for a long time. This guy should be in jail!!! Disgusting living being he is!! With this news being spread so widely and fast I am sure he is going to end up with a bullet in his head. At least he deserves to be wiped out of the planet .
I cant believe that nobody did anything to stop him!!! How could the exhibition go on??? Well for sure I wont be going to Costa Rica after this.
Dog eating countries are as well out of my travel programs.
Michelle on October 19th, 2007

So Sad, How could this happen. Maybe someone should set him in a corner and starve him with a rope around his neck. Better yet lets take a pic of him hanging of what he deserves.
Heather on October 19th, 2007

Ok for those of you who are demented and think this is art, then lets see you put your child in that dogs place. Let see if you call it art then. I cant believe that ANYONE could consider this art in any form. This is a living breathing thing that was placed on this earth because of people and not taking the time to care for an animal and then letting it go on the street. What do most people do when they see a poor starving animal that they can help? It sure as hell isnt to take it and tie it up as a supposed art display and have all these people come walking by and do nothing and let it die! I am sorry but I am fed up with people getting dogs, breeding dogs, giving up on dogs so that this can happen. It has gone too far! Wake up and get it together, if people continue to not care and do this we cant stop things like this from happening. I know that not all people are like this, but someone somewhere needs to get a clue. Spay and neuter your animals so this kind of thing does not happen. Stop it before it starts!!!!!!
tim on October 20th, 2007

oh sure, you become active for animal. how many times could of helped a human? do you poeople have any idea how many children die of starvation in africa every year? you are all armchair activest.
Stacey on October 20th, 2007

I seriously think that if I saw this person, I might kill him. I might attach him to a short chain and leave him like that until he died. You know, detainees get better treatment than this poor dog and they are terrorists. How dare you post something like this and call it art. I am so infuriated to the point of complete madness. Animals are a gift to the world and dogs are our best friends; loyal, caring, pleasant, hopeful and full of happiness. This just tears my heart into pieces.
Thomas on October 20th, 2007

Yep, but we dont tie starving children, they are free to move, and food is sent to them.
Exactly the contrary of what this under-artist does by trying to gain money with death of poor creatures.

Next time he will sell ashtrays made of starved children’s skulls.
Heather on October 20th, 2007

I am with a dog rescue and I think that all of Gods creatures are to be treated with respect and love. This is not about a child, this is about a dog. One that has no voice and someone took advantage of that. I have 4 children and I would fight for them to the end and again if children are abused who is it by? Another “human” I really just think that people in general need to start thinking. Go ahead and call me and people like me whatever you would like. It is because of people like you who think the way you do that we have the problem we do. I at least am willing to fight and speak for the ones that cant on their own. I have seen so many cases of abuse, neglect and puppy mills dogs that to be honest this looks mild as sad and as sick as it is. I on the other hand can only imagine what this poor dog went through. Look around the internet, you would most likey agree with me that something needs to be done! I was not accusing this man of child abuse, and if it had been a child, God forbid, I would have said something too. Stay on the facts of what it is and what needs to be done and what this is for. Look at the pictures, do you have any pets? This dog could have possibly been saved and nobody cared enough to do or say a word until it was too late. Isnt that the case in most things… a little too late?
Lars on October 20th, 2007

pedro wrote:

“This is the most shitty thing I have read for a long time. ”

You don’t read much, do you?

Here’s a list of current events that are far “shittier”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Burmese_anti-government_protests
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur_conflict
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_war#Casualty_estimates

All you armchair activists crying over one dead dog from the comfort of your homes while real atrocity goes ignored… it’s pathetic.
jkp on October 20th, 2007

“All you armchair activists crying over one dead dog from the comfort of your homes while real atrocity goes ignored… it’s pathetic.”

If you’re so fully consumed by the events in Darfur and Iraq that it means you can’t feel compassion for anything else, then wtf are you doing wasting time surfing the web and arguing on message boards? Talk about armchair… you’re a fucking joke.
E on October 20th, 2007

The animal lovers are missing the whole point of his work… I own and care for more animals than probably ten of you put together, and I have no problem with his work. Instead of looking at how the dog died, look at how it got there in the first place. It got there because of society at large. The majority of people, probably some of you as well, won’t do anything to aid a suffering animal when it comes down to finances. Are you going to shell out a few hundred dollars on the spot to try to bring some random animal back to health? Will you do it again the next time you see a suffering animal? If so, you’ll be broke in a month. Rather than condemn the artist and childishly say we should tie him up, use some sense and see reality for what it is… animals suffer all the time, and it’s ALL OUR FAULT. That won’t change. Deal with it. Stop being a hypocrite.

And besides, human life IS more valuable than animal life. If you say otherwise, or even that we’re equal, you’re no better than those guilty of cruelty to animals. Animals were put on this earth to serve us, whether as protection, transportation, food, or companionship. Period.
Thomas on October 20th, 2007

Based upon an “ARTISTIC” point of view :

This piece of art is POOR. Subject is poor, technicity is poor, the ‘message’ is useless, dead in the womb and poor.

The true message behind it, is not that “we” dont care about dying people (which is not true), but that through modern ART some aristocratic narcissic are ready to use ANY MEANS to access a little bit more notoriety.

Which is indeed pathetical.
jkp on October 20th, 2007

“Are you going to shell out a few hundred dollars on the spot to try to bring some random animal back to health? Will you do it again the next time you see a suffering animal? If so, you’ll be broke in a month. Rather than condemn the artist and childishly say we should tie him up, use some sense and see reality for what it is… animals suffer all the time, and it’s ALL OUR FAULT. That won’t change. Deal with it. Stop being a hypocrite.”

Honestly, how can you not grasp the difference between “seeing a random animal in poor health” and seeing a person intentionally mistreat such an animal to the point of death for personal gain and notoriety?

(hint: one of these scenarios involves a douche who should be doused w/gas and set on fire)

They are completely different situations and therefore your accusation of “hypocrite” is false.

Furthermore, when you state shit like “Animals were put on this earth to serve us, whether as protection, transportation, food, or companionship. Period.” it makes you sound like a total kook. How the fuck do you know why animals were put on this earth?
L on October 20th, 2007

I find this appalling - it is not Art with a Capital A it is Animal Cruelty pure and simple.
To those who are criticizing, yes, I would shell out money for a strange animal - have done so. Last week I spent hours transporting a cat that someone else hit with a car from vet to vet until its owners could be located via microchip.
This especially upsets me because one of my dogs is a former “street dog” from St. Croix who was brought up here through a rescue organization - so I guess he’s lucky some depraved “artist” didn’t grab him up in his younger days.
And yes, you can support animal charities and human charities as well so those arguments won’t fly people! Cruelty is cruelty in all its forms.
We are all judged by how our weakest members are treated!
eve on October 20th, 2007

For the love of God………Por amor a Dios!!!!!!!!!! Stop letting this sadist heartless man fulfill his sick desires by doing this atrocious things ..I WISH SOMEBODY WILL STARVE HIM TO DEATH WITH PEOPLE WATCHING HIM LIKE NOTHING IS HAPPENING!The spirit of a nation is reflected in the way their animals and all living things are treated.
PAREN de dejar que este sadista sin corazon sienta su enfermo placer HACIENDO TAL ATROCIDAD!! decearia verlo a el muriendose de hambre mientras lo miran como si nada……..!El ESPIRITU DE UNA NACION SE REFLEJA EN LA MANERA COMO SUS HABITANTANTES TRATAN A LOS ANIMALES Y LOS SERES VIVENTES .
QUE DICE ESTO DE LA GENTE DE COSTA RICA>??!
cheri on October 20th, 2007

what the hell is this! if i got a homeless off the street, tied him up until he staved to death, could i call it art? i could, but id be in prison for murder, exactley where this artist should be. people go to jail for casuing the death of animals, why should this be different?
uk on October 20th, 2007

a friend of mine adopted a street dog in Costa Rica while we were living there, and i adopted 3 street dogs from Armenia while I was living there… all of them are the sweetest, most loving companions anyone could hope to have. this asshole thinks he’s making a statement about another person’s death–a BURGLAR killed by guard dogs DURING HIS CRIME, mind you.

what the hell does killing an innocent being, able to suffer and totally and completely removed from his political “view” have anything to do with making the statement he thinks he’s making? what a fucking idiot!!!

yes, as this asshole said, there is severe poverty in the world, and particularly in nicaragua as i experienced traveling there. it is heartbreaking, and we should each do what we can to help–like buy from fair trade co-ops for instance. NOT by torturing and murdering a precious and completely innocent life as an “exhibition.” what bullshit.

this brought tears to my eyes. i hope this fucker fries.
uk on October 20th, 2007

oh yes, and so what if the dog was sick? does that justify this? it STARVED to death–it didn’t die of illness. ’nuff said.
E on October 20th, 2007

JKP, I refrained from using profanity, so why can’t you? Flaming aside, any vet would tell you that this dog, having died a day after being tied up, was very likely beyond help. The artist made a point and he succeeded… probably better than he had hoped, but it got the discussions going. Just because you have a problem with the delivery method of his message, you shouldn’t wish his death (which seems to be the irrational consensus). If laws require him to be punished, so be it… I’m not saying he should escape what applicable laws there are. But does he deserve to die? Dear Lord no.

As for why animals were put on earth, I guess I should go with my personal belief in evolution. We evolved as the greater lifeform and thus have the capacity (for good or ill) to choose the purpose of our animals. In the US, we choose to eat beef, own dogs as pets, and ride horses. In other parts of the world, their purposes are different. In any case, all I’m saying is that animals are a lower lifeform and thus serve us. You cannot equate an animals life to that of a human… you simply cannot. If you claim otherwise, any sensible person knows you’re a fool. Hmm, should I let this animal die or should I let this human die? Simple choice.

And finally, the difference between “killing a dog” and ignoring a dying dog is a fine line indeed… you’re justifying ignorance or lack of action. The end result is the same… kind of a reverse “the end justifies the means.”

E
Stacey on October 20th, 2007

I have been watching this topic for about 12 hours. A lot of people have some great points. However I am inclined to disagree with most.

I did like the point of “think of how that dog got there” That disgusts me just as much as seeing him on display.

I did not like the point that was made of the “arm chair activists” Talk about an oxymoron. Now if you came to my house and said that it would be a different point but you are typing just like everyone.

Oh yeah who posted stuff about Iraq and Dafur? Ok stop for a sec, think of your audience. I have been all around the world defending the people of this nation. I went to a place and had human feces thrown in my face for what I was doing. DEFENDING. I still did it, so people like you could run your mouths. I did nothing but do my job and care for those people and I still got treated like crap, by them and Americans. So don’t you tell me what is pathetic.

Why you stop and think how little your perspective is in the grand design before you run your mouth about things when you don’t even know the half of it.
Key on October 20th, 2007

to Stacey

“How dare you post something like this and call it art.” who’s posting? what the fuck are you talking about? don’t questions end with question marks?
“I have been all around the world defending the people of this nation.” what nation, asshole?

to pretty much the rest of you:

you’re all so stupid and you don’t even realize it. an artist makes a STATEMENT and everyone hates him. that statement was “look at this dog, you fucks. he’s dying, and you don’t give a shit. are you going to say something or just move on?”
he hopes, even challenges, that people like you retards would say something. if you notice, the account says that only after the dog died did people respond.
you guys are the evil ones for condemning his statement about how sick society is. if you sheep didn’t have your heads so far up your asses you’d realize that you aren’t the activists, he is.
Angeles on October 20th, 2007

He should be starved and then displayed as art… what a sick f**k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacey on October 20th, 2007

Key- I don’t really think there is such a need for name calling. OH yeah and what nation? I mean the United States, as in I am a Soldier in the United States Army.

Yes questions end with questions marks, I’m not really sure what you are talking about.

I understand the statement the artist was trying to make and I am not denying him for it. I don’t really care what he does. I care about that dog and nothing else. People are cruel and mean, just like you were to me. Dogs don’t do that.
Heather on October 20th, 2007

Here is something to think about…..Yes the dog died the next day….so he says, you dont know how long he actually had the dog. I work for a vet and have seen animals come in almost at the end and pull through very well. Most of you must not read the bible because God said …..“A good man takes care of his animals, but wicked men are cruel to theirs.” Proverbs 12:10. There are several quotes in the bible that pertain to things such as this. I am not saying that I would let my child starve to save an animal, yes you have to draw the line. I however have spent a lot of money saving animals and have no regret what so ever. I dont ask for anything in return, just the fact of helping is reward enough(and no I am not wealthy by no means). It is up to people to control the animal population and a lot dont. Its is also up to people to control human population and dont. Animals cant walk into a vets office and say “help me”, most people can!

Yes the artist did start this whole list of comments by what he did, but the fact remains….it was wrong and injust for this animal to be displayed like it was, take it home, comfort it at least. Do what a person with some heart and compassion would/should do!

The only thing I think this should be about is this animal was tied to a wall and let die….point and factt! Dieing no matter what or who is not an art or viewed as art. Otherwise why didnt he go to an hospital and get a terminally ill patient and do the same thing?……..Why because it would just be wrong!!!!!!
Lucky on October 20th, 2007

this was posted in another group i belong to. not sure of all the details on this.

Hi all, the addreses of the Bienal already are not
important, because his collegues support him: the petition failed, he won the
Bienal and he will be a representative of your country en Honduras in 2008.
Here you have more addresses, we have sent
letters in spanish with these addresses to the authorities in order they punish
him for the crime.
Pablo Gonzalez on October 21st, 2007

HOW DISTURBED IS THIS INDIVIDUAL! ART? That is murder..plan and simple.. if he fed the dog, the dog would’ve lived and the people visiting his SALON! What is wrong with them? This is a sad and sick individual and poor excuse for a human being.. starving to death is very, very painful.. he should’ve just shot the dog and said ART!! At least, quicker way of its misery.. God protect that little angel’s soul for trusting this man and dying slowly in his hands while other morons looked on after eating full-course meals and studied his ART.
Thomas on October 21st, 2007

This is poor art. There is no message but “I m pretentious, if you are pretentious, you will find my art piece very hype.”

Socialy high and a little bit educated people tend to think that showing a simulated respect for such “modern art” will bring them something special.
They want to be different.

I am not impressed by the death of a dog, man, your art is poor, the message is worthless, you want to be someone and you are nobody. I’m sorry, you are not surprinsing me with a tied dog.

Still I consider letting a dog die is an act of cowardice.
Thomas on October 21st, 2007

Maybe a little bit interesting art would have been someone enters the hall, smash one or two englassed yuppie heads, get his cock out, analy rape the artist, then the dog, then does the goatse thing, and shout “THIS IS SPARTA !”.
monique on October 21st, 2007

sick people!!!
Thomas on October 21st, 2007

I made a picture that explains it all :

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8859/artsg1.jpg
jkp on October 21st, 2007

E,

I could refrain from using profanity, I just don’t fucking want to.

Secondly, I don’t have a problem with people eating animals, using them for pets or transportation – but I do have a problem with shitty logic. The statement that “animals were put on this earth” for that purpose implies (1) that some being did the “putting” in the first place and (2) that you somehow know this being’s intent in doing so.

Both of these are unknowable, IMO.

Lastly, the difference between a sick dog dying on it’s own or being killed in a specifically cruel manner for personal gain is not a “fine line indeed.”

For example, if somebody who was terminally ill fell in front of a subway car, it would be sad but it wouldn’t piss me off. But if some sick fuckhead intentionally pushed that same person in front of the same subway car, it would.

Now, before you all wound up about people not being the same as animals, let me just say this: “no shit.” I used a person in this example only to emphasize the flawed logic of your argument (which is exactly the same) – not to equate people w/animals. In mathematics, this is called a “proof by counter example.”
kma on October 21st, 2007

tie him up and let him die
joann on October 21st, 2007

o my god that poor animal how disgusting!! if that is the way that guy portrays his art someone who LOVES these animal should buy his work and put him in a meat grinder ALIVE to feed the poor things he let die in the name of art. he should be shot
Key on October 21st, 2007

ATTN: BLATANT CONTRADICTION! CAUTION!

(first) quoted by Stacey:
“I seriously think that if I saw this person, I might kill him. I might attach him to a short chain and leave him like that until he died.”

also quoted later by Stacey:
“I don’t really care what he does. I care about that dog and nothing else. People are cruel and mean…”

if you don’t care what he does, why are you bitching? i agree people are cruel and mean, but at least all of them aren’t ignorant (albeit most of them are.)

you must have thought you were pretty politically correct, huh? what a crash and burn it must be to realize that you don’t see into things quite as clearly as you had hoped.
__________

this is the type of person supporting the petition. do you really want to sign?

to Thomas:

an act of cowardice? how so?
i disagree with your synopsis of the artist’s content.
Key on October 21st, 2007

and don’t say “OH yeah and what nation? I mean the United States, as in I am a Soldier in the United States Army.” like you’re getting the best of me. i posed the question to you because you assume everyone is from the USA.
Heather on October 21st, 2007

Who cares what other people are or arent. This whole thing is not about that. It seems people want to stray away from the story is about. It is about an “artist” and a dog that he let die. He could have taken the dog home and let it die in peace if nothing else. Left it for someone else to try to save. Who knows if he actually “just found” the dog or if it was his pet and put it through all of this cruelty and pain. See this is what happens when people cant face the truth or just want to push the facts aside and not point the finger because they dont know how to react. People want to change the subject or place blame on people that did nothing wrong.
Maggie on October 21st, 2007

I completely agree with what Key wrote. yeah of course it was wrong of the artist to let the dog die. But the people watching the exhibit also let the dog die. Why is it the mans responsibility to take the dog home and care for it, isnt that just as much anyone elses responsibility as much as his, (ie. the public who saw the ‘exhibit’)?
Even when the reality of many animals fate in that area was forced into peoples faces as an EXHIBIT they still let him die. The artists whole point was to show that this is what happens all the time on the street, but no one cares. There was a greater message being made, that anyone who watched that exhibit and did nothing about it is just as “responsible” as the artist, not just for that dog but all animals in similar positions who are ignored. But the greater message is missed because by everyone who is too ignorant to see it
Maggie on October 21st, 2007

ON that note though, if the dog died as consequences of the man’s actions (aka if it would have survived longer without being in that exhibit, was the dog actually refusing food, etc) that is definitely a questionable way to put across the message he was trying to put across and I dont question the man’s responsibility for the dogs death……Just that the public should be held just as responsible and there should be more attention payed to the message he was trying to show, which is largely missed
Lucy Macieira on October 21st, 2007

When will people stop being so territorial about a living being that does no belong to them? I am an artist, and in no exaggeration, my work of art would have been the compassionate human being to step in and save the poor, poor soul.

This is an outrage, as i sit here in tears at the sight of these awful pictures, art is one area of my life i hope to escape the cruelty to animals, and speciesm that occurs in this warped and backwards planet earth.

In an attempt to grab media attention, which was obviously all this artist could ever hope for, as un-talented as he is, he has gained the wrong kind of attention, and lets just say, he should really watch out. Eating animals is one thing hard to barer, but to expect credibility, honour, and support for such a selfish, cruel and unecessary act, he will never be forgiven.

In the sake of his hands, this compassionate creature died. Let shame be on him for the rest of his life as a artist.

We don’t need people like him in the arts world.

Yours Truly,

Lucy Macieira, vegan, artist, ALF supporter.
Lucy Macieira on October 21st, 2007

let me just comment, “attempted artist”
Anjela on October 21st, 2007

I can’t believe someone would do this to any living creature
this is just cruel and unusual
and to have a man pay children to capture and starve it, is irresponsible…
this is not only teaching children to do evil but its simply immoral
I can’t believe this blatent disreguard toward the rights of living creatures
animals have feelings and rights too!
spread love…
stop the cruelty
Amanda Walker on October 21st, 2007

This man should be tortured until he dies of a slow agonizing death even worse than what the dog felt!!!!!!!!!
Arielle Palevsky on October 21st, 2007

I think that this is not art when the so called artist found the dog they should have nursed it back to health. It disgusts me that no one stood up and took control of the situation by giving that dog food and water, despite what this so called artist told them. This guy deserves to be starved to death and put on display so others could watch him die a slow and painful death, just as he did to this poor creature of G-d.
stacey on October 21st, 2007

Key I don’t think that I am getting the best of you nor am I trying. Yes I have slightly changed my view from my first post and the other post that you had quoted. Perhaps I should have changed that. I hadn’t the slightest idea that you were going to hang on to every word I said as if it made your world turn.
Whatever. I am not trying to put myself in a position to be judged by you, this post isn’t about me, it’s not about what I think or what I know.

I think that now you might have lost sight of what the article is about. Rather than reading it and seeing it for what it is you sit here and fight with the rest of us about our opinions. They are opinions who cares?
Felicia on October 21st, 2007

This is absolutely sickening. Absolutely disturbing! It makes me SO angry when I see and hear of things like this happening to any animal (or living thing for that matter). Do you know what makes me feel like there is punishment for those sick people who mercilessly torture, mutilate, starve, and neglect animals? Watch Animal Cops or Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. One of the shows begins with nothing but words…1 City…10 millions people…5 million pets…10 ASPCA Officers with full police authority. The show includes such horrific things as dogs with slit throats, farms FULL of nothing but starving and neglected farm animals, horses so amaciated they weigh 1/3 of what they should, a dog dead in someones back yard who claims they “didn’t even know it was their”, and a dog so covered in ticks that you could see them from 3 stories up…this dog was owned by a preacher!
The most horrific thing I have seen (thus far this week, they get worse and worse all the time) a woman throwing 13 puppies in the TRASH CAN. This horrible woman’s neighbors hear 2 of the puppies cries late one night and discovered them huddled together and shivering in a trashcan that belonged to the neighbors. The couple who found them called the ASPCA the next morning and when they came over to search the house of the perpetrator. When the officers arrived the woman answered the door and said “this is about the dogs isn’t it?” Then she said she put them there because she knew they would come to get the puppies. She then denied putting them in the trash before they died. They then went outside to find the other 11 puppies wrapped up and in boxes in the trash can. A week later, the only pups left were the 2 the neighbor had rescued.
The officers then told her that they would not have died if she would have called or brought them into their clinic, and without punishment.
At last word, the woman had 13 counts of aggrevated animal cruelty and neglect.

How can any human do such cruel cruel things to such innocent living things!?!?!?!?
PLEASE support any and all animal cruelty organizations such as the ASPCA. They are doing all they can to save these poor animals’ lives and could use all the help they can get. STAND UP and SPEAK OUT for those who cannot do it on their own!
yrutie on October 21st, 2007

The issue is not that other people have the moral obligation to feed and care for street animals.

The issue is that this one person, the “artist”, PREVENTED the animal from receiving help and by denying it what ever comfort it could get from its last days.

How does anyone know how much longer the dog would have lived?

We do know thaTt the dog died because the artist refused it food and water.

Compassion need not be limited to just one species.

And I ask you who was more quilty. The dogs who killed a man while he was burglarizing their house, or a man who kidnapped and maltreated a dog who had done nothing?
That’s the mentality that someone’s gotta pay. Doesn’t matter who.

Costa Rica will hopefully do the right thing, ev