Starving Dog as Art
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
April 18, 2008 2:57pm CST
How low can art go,
David Emery of Urban Legends reports from
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_starving_dog_art.htm
Netlore Archive: Forwarded email urges recipients to sign a petition preventing artist Guillermo Vargas (a.k.a. 'Habacuc' or 'Habakkuk') from participating in the Central American Biennial of Art because he created an exhibition in which a stray dog was allegedly starved to death in the name of art
Description: Email flier / Online Petition
Circulating since: Oct. 2007
Status: Disputed
The email that is circulating states that the artist picked up a stray dog on the street, chained it to a small leash somewhere in the art room and did not give it food or water and watched it slowly die over the course of a few days.
This is the most horrible thing that I could think of and in the name of art.
Okay the story is disputed meaning they don't know one way or another if it is true or not yet.
What is your view on this,
have you seen this email before?
Do you believe it is true or not true?
How do you feel about somebody doing this to a dog in the name of art?
9 responses
@ladysakurax (1161)
• Canada
2 May 08
To begin, some proplr who aren't vegetarian have ti kill animal in order to eat and survive. This is acceptable. But to kill animal for pleasure is inhuman. Some people torture them and hunt them as a sport like they don't have any other hobby in their life. As it isn't enough, they kill a dog for the name of art....I believe in karma and i hope they will reborn into these poor animals and understand how painful it is to be treated badly. Such people are dangerous for the society
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 May 08
yes we do not know how something terrible like this could happen, but we don't know if this story is true yet or something that was just made up for the internet.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
22 Apr 08
That is just wrong in so many ways. He should be charged for animal cruelty and for killing it. Because wondering around loose it atleast had a chance to be able to eat once in awhile here and there. In the name of art? I think it is a sorry excuse for art..and a excuse to be mean and demented about killing a dog for pleasure of art. I haven't seen this email so I don't know if it is true or false but I am totally hoping it is false because that would be just to much and to far to go in the name of art.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
24 Apr 08
the myth busters can't determine yet if the story is true or not but I agree with you, that painter famous or not should be charged, if they can prove it is true.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
18 Apr 08
I have not heard of any such story. But I will say that for a person to watch in innocent dog suffer and die, he hast to be quite sick in the head. I can imagine the poor dog whimpering and crying out. I can not imagine anyone being that cruel.
1 person likes this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
I am in no position to assess if it is true. I certainly hope it is not true. Though dogs are animals, they too have a life. Any life is precious. I find it disgusting to ill-treat animals under the name of art. In my opinion, the artist was simply inhumane if he indeed carry out the act.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
yes animals have a life and have feelings too. And people are supposed to be the care takers of animals, not their abusers.
@Esoteric1 (863)
• Canada
19 Apr 08
I have never seen that email before tho I have heard of the story. I think people that buy art are responsible as they are the ones demanding artists to push the limits. I believe this story to be true as I have heard of worse things in the art world. I feel that any artist that would hurt any person or creature in the name of art should have his next exhibition in the big house.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
I never even thought of the jerks who buy the art adding to the problem, they are just as bad. You know me how I hate when any animal is abused, when they hurt, I hurt too.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
18 Apr 08
I tell you what, if it is true and he did do this, why does someone not return the favour and do it back to him, Oh in the name of art of course, lets see how he likes it, see if he feels very arty then. If it is true I hope that I never see it and I hope that if he did do it he is punished for it. I hope it is not true, but some people are so cruel these days that I would not put it past him.
1 person likes this
@Remando (175)
•
18 Apr 08
If that is true, and I sincerely hope it is not, then my opinion of human kind has just lowered a notch.
I do not think, as no one will I'm sure, that harm or abuse or cruelty in any way whatsoever can be claimed as art. There really isn't much more I could say.
