What Exactly Is Happening To Us????

[paularoid]

I just got this in.

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There is no way I can _not_ forward this. If you do an online search for the artist, Guillermo Vargas Habacuc, the full details of the exhibition are there. Thanks for your indulgence.

This isn’t art its animal cruelty.
Please forward this to everyone you know!

In the 2007, the 'artist' Guillermo Vargas Habacuc, took a dog from the street, he tied him to a rope in an art gallery, starving him to death. For several days, the 'artist' and the visitors of the exhibition have watched emotionless the shameful 'masterpiece' based on the dog's agony, until eventually he died.

He's been invited back to the Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008 (a huge art event in South America) to recreate this 'exhibit' this year. You can google his name for confirmation of story, it's not for the faint of heart and truly despicable.

Please sign the petition to boycott the presence of Guillermo Vargas Habacuc at this year's event. You don't need to register, just sign and send.

Petition Site:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ea6gk/petition.html

[Wildflower Fever]

It's similar to what happens in the U.S., the old saying, war comes home. When violence is consistent abroad, other atrocities abound on the home front. I feel we are strangely regressing slowly backward in time, to more barbaric times. Or perhaps, the media is just making us more aware of the insanity that's always been. I keep hearing more strange stories like this, coupled with the ever more frequent mindless shootings in the U.S. Perhaps Darwin found there really was a heaven, and now he and "God" are contemplating thinning the herd.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

It's similar to what happens in the U.S., the old saying, war comes home. When violence is consistent abroad, other atrocities abound on the home front. I feel we are strangely regressing slowly backward in time, to more barbaric times. Or perhaps, the media is just making us more aware of the insanity that's always been. I keep hearing more strange stories like this, coupled with the ever more frequent mindless shootings in the U.S. Perhaps Darwin found there really was a heaven, and now he and "God" are contemplating thinning the herd.

Personally I have a difficult time with those that would abuse any animal, wild or domestic... I can assure you that it takes a very sick individual to feel the need to torture any animal... wether in the form of exhibiting at many of the zoos, to rodeos to the morons that feel that killing a poor denfenseless creature is a work of art...Now this is ONLY my opinion and I speak for nobody else....But then to an artist such as one that feels their art justifies killing an animal I would express to those artists that I would really like to see them hanging around an art exhibit.... by the nu.......... Nevermind....

And people think I'm off the wall????

Best to all

R.

PS... I won't sign a petition acknowledging that this sick effort is in my opinion any form of art... I would however if I found myself on a jury reach a finding of not guilty if somebody saw the "CRIME" and battered the perpetrator with a two by four.... After all... maybe the act was an expression of art...

[Dee]

God, that is sick!

And I think you may have a point about parts of humanity regressing to a state of barbarism, WF. The owners of that gallery ought to be put out of business!

[Judy]

I think we are propelling ourselves back to the days of the Roman Coliseum where barbarity was applauded and cruelty was haled as entertainment.

Thank you, Paul, I did sign petition.

[BGG]

I signed it too - thanks for letting us know Paul.
What a sick FU*K!!!
And yes, the gallery that let him submit this as 'art' ought to be brought up on charges too - and then closed down.

Freakin-A, man! What's the world coming to???

[hoops]

what about this could possibly be considered art?
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

The problem with the modern "art" world is that it has reached a mindset whereby the more one points out that something has no artistic merit whatsoever, the more they claim that as proof of a "new vision".

A couple of recent documentaries, "Who The @#$%^! Is Jackson Pollock?" and "My Kid Could Paint That!" discuss this on a less disgusting level. In the former, a woman apparently bought a Jackson Pollock painting at the thrift store for $5. Despite forensic evidence including matching types of paint and Pollock's fingerprints on the canvas, the "art world" thus far insists that it couldn't be the real deal (there are some hilarious scenes in which "experts" point to various swirls and blobs, claiming "Pollock never would have done this"--then a cut to a "genuine" Pollock with the same pattern or color). The latter deals with a young girl who paints canvases that look pretty much like something Pollock would have attempted--and gets high prices for them until rumors circulate that she may have had "help" from her father. I don't get it....in both cases the canvas is the same, it's merely a belief system that gives it value. A related subject is dealt with hilariously in a movie of some years ago, "The Moderns".

Things like the nightmare at the beginning of this thread leave me wondering if a bunch of black-clad "bohos" are even now discussing the artistic merit of Abu Ghraib.

An afterthought: the best way to deal with this person is to ignore him, not sign petitions or raise protests. If you do that sort of thing, you become part of the "art" and within this twisted mindset, grant legitimacy to the "event". Turn your backs--without an audience, he is nothing. To the extent that we participate in any comment on this man's actions is merely to become another of his victims.

[paularoid]

An afterthought: the best way to deal with this person is to ignore him, not sign petitions or raise protests. If you do that sort of thing, you become part of the "art" and within this twisted mindset, grant legitimacy to the "event". Turn your backs--without an audience, he is nothing. To the extent that we participate in any comment on this man's actions is merely to become another of his victims.
So then,.... using that sort of reasoning should we and the rest of the world have ignored Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII? I realize that's not a fair comparison . . . . . or is it? Should we have just "ignored" Adolph Hitler? Should we have "ignored" Mussolini? Should we have "ignored" Hirohito? To put things a slightly different way, should we "ignore" people like Jeffery Dahmer? Maybe he was exploring a new form of "art".

[Wildflower Fever]

So then,.... using that sort of reasoning should we and the rest of the world have ignored Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII? I realize that's not a fair comparison . . . . . or is it? Should we have just "ignored" Adolph Hitler? Should we have "ignored" Mussolini? Should we have "ignored" Hirohito? To put things a slightly different way, should we "ignore" people like Jeffery Dahmer? Maybe he was exploring a new form of "art".

Many serial killers, like Jeffrey Dahmer, started out by hurting, abusing, torturing, and killing animals for pleasure. Dahmer said he did it to "see what's going on inside." This "artist" does seem like a foreshadowing of a time where we "look the other way" during even larger atrocities. What's next, experimenting on live animals? Oops, that's already happening. Or on humans? Oops, the pharmaceutical companies beat us to it. Torture is accepted by the highest levels of U.S. government. All that is missing to link us more securely to the Roman Empire is hunting human beings for entertainment, and that will air next season on FOX. Who is for placing bets as to when we fall too? OK, back to sunshine, puppy dogs and rainbows. Who needs a drink?

[DaveM]

I don't believe any of the regimes Paul referred to claimed to be staging artistic "events".

"Artists" such as this person (and I'm using the word loosely here), however, regard the response to their activities as part of the "event". So, one sees paintings done in excrement, religious symbols soaked in bottles of urine, and other rubbish, and people respond and the "artist" gets his or her 15 minutes. As soon as the audience goes away....the artist does too.

This guy should be facing criminal charges, no question about that. Beyond that, responding to him in any way only provides a perverse legitimacy to his "artwork". For that matter, his being jailed will be viewed by some as a testament to the "power" of his "work". However, it will stop him, for a time, from torturing any more animals.

[david uk]

how can suffering be called art?

I have a very broad definition of what constitutes art, but cruelty isn't part of it.

[paularoid]

An afterthought: the best way to deal with this person is to ignore him, not sign petitions or raise protests. If you do that sort of thing, you become part of the "art" and within this twisted mindset, grant legitimacy to the "event". Turn your backs--without an audience, he is nothing. To the extent that we participate in any comment on this man's actions is merely to become another of his victims.
Two schools of thought here:
1 - Ignore the "artist" and he goes away.
2 - Ignore the "artist" and he tries something even more outlandish in order to "get attention".

John Lennon ended up DEAD because somebody wanted to "get attention".

I signed the petition.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Strange as it may be I agree with Dave;)



So then,.... using that sort of reasoning should we and the rest of the world have ignored Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII? I realize that's not a fair comparison . . . . . or is it? Should we have just "ignored" Adolph Hitler? Should we have "ignored" Mussolini? Should we have "ignored" Hirohito? To put things a slightly different way, should we "ignore" people like Jeffery Dahmer? Maybe he was exploring a new form of "art".

Paul??? Using your logic on this might represent that petitions actually serve a positive effect at getting things done other then causing exposure to such events which is often not the case... It does however in many cases give press and exposure to those that are simply seeking it by the worst possible of ways... i.e., art exhibits... As to Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito I don't recall being asked to sign a petition.... and with people like Dahmer, don't you think they in fact are seeking some to some degree to exploit the press to get attention, which in many cases brings on the copycats?

In my opinion petitions should be used for politics.... Not to control the actions of individuals. The acts of this artist does not require a petition...I think the correct remedy in his case should be an arrest warrent for animal cruelty.... Just my opinion...

Best

R.

[Bat]

how can suffering be called art?

I have a very broad definition of what constitutes art, but cruelty isn't part of it.


Just ask the church.
Their 'art' has been based on man's inhumanity to man for eons...who else would be so proud as to claim as avatar the image of a crucified man?

What savagery!

[Wildflower Fever]

Just ask the church.
Their 'art' has been based on man's inhumanity to man for eons...who else would be so proud as to claim as avatar the image of a crucified man?

What savagery!

I agree, Bat. I am a recovering catholic and always found their symbolism so morbid and mournful. Perhaps they should replace the crucifix with this snappy, smiling Christ image, the "Buddy Christ" (sorry Fonzie):

http://www.dogma-movie.com/pics/church/images/buddychrist1.jpg

[paularoid]

In my opinion petitions should be used for politics.... Not to control the actions of individuals.
Politics make laws. Laws control individual actions. Honduras may not have laws against animal abuse. Signing a petition may bring about an outcry against animal abuse in Honduras which could bring about laws or changes to laws already existant. Petitions -can- work in cases like this.


I think the correct remedy in his case should be an arrest warrent for animal cruelty.... Just my opinion...
Agreed! Signing a petition could bring attention to a matter that may have otherwise gone un-noticed and unpunished. As it is, the petition has already been signed by me and I can't "unsign" it. Also, the petition is not to the "artist" but to the gallery for allowing him to exhibit a recreation of his "art" a second time. Chances are that the "artist" would not get any "attention" either way because of a petition to the gallery. The gallery that surely depends on the input of the public at large would I'm sure be effected by the petition and the attention it garners where the "artist" might not.

You have your points, I have mine.

Both are valid.

Those that -will- sign for reasons of their own, will.

Those that -won't- sign for reasons of their own, won't.

'Nuff said.

[Roady]

He's been invited back to the Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008 (a huge art event in South America) to recreate this 'exhibit' this year.
From what I've read he's being rewarded for his "exhibit" in 2007.

Six artists and rewarded with the pass to represent the country at the "Biennale Centroamericana Honduras 2008.
Artists winners in this sixth edition of the prestigious contemporary art quotes were Errol Barrantes, Habakkuk Guillermo Vargas, Oscar Figueroa, Mimiam Hsu, Stephen Stone and "The gang of Emerging-Submerged" (Sila Chanto and Jhafis Quintero).
The jury was composed of Ana Sokoloff (Colombia), Oliver Debroise (Mexico) and Rodolfo Kronfle Chambers (Ecuador), and chose based on works of high quality and excellent consistency between idea and implementation, as detailed.
This artist might be a sick F*%k but he's not the only guility party in this case of animal cruelty. A lot of people allowed this to happen. :mad:

[Bat]

People in other countries--evidently Honduras, and certainly Greece--are not too concerned with animal welfare, and are quite often very cruel to them, letting them starve, roam free and live on what they can scavange, chase and beat them, and worse. Everyone is not humane in this world, unfortunately. To our eyes it is cruelty, to them it is simply the way it is and they don't give it a thought. I don't understand it and certainly don't condone it, but until these people can be brought to understand what cruelty does, even to lowly animals, it will go on. Perhaps that is the way they treat others less fortunate, or even their children, too.

[Chet]

Two schools of thought here:
1 - Ignore the "artist" and he goes away.
2 - Ignore the "artist" and he tries something even more outlandish in order to "get attention".

John Lennon ended up DEAD because somebody wanted to "get attention".

I signed the petition.
The "artist" is not being ignored, but in fact encouraged and "endorsed" by an art gallery.

I, too, signed the petition and posted it on my Pandas Unlimited group at Flickr, where many of the members signed the petition and forwarded the message to their friends. In return, one of them posted information from the SPCA, which I reproduce below:


Thank you for contacting SPCA International and for your concern over this horrific artist. We have gathered some information of where you can write to express your concern for his status as a national artist.

You can e-mail the gallery which currently holds some of Vargas' work for display and sale. If you would like to ask the gallery to drop him from their list of artists the email address is below.

Email address: info@jacobkarpio-galeria.com

This is a committee that has chosen him to represent Costa Rico as the at an Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008

Centro Nacional de la Cultura
Antigua Fábrica Nacional de Licores.
Avenida 3, calle 15/17. San José, Costa Rica.
Phone: (506) 257 7202 / 257 9370
Fax: (506) 257 8702
Email: info@madc.ac.cr

If we all voice our concern then hopefully we can put an end to the treatment of the dogs he is using as art.

Thank you again for your concern.

Sincerely,
Jennifer McKim
Administrative and Communication Coordinator
SPCA
I suggested that we write to the gallery, with copies to the Costa Rica Embassy, and another member posted information on how to reach the Embassy and Consulate:


Contact info for the Costa Rican Embassy and Consulate in Washington, DC:

Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, DC
2114 “S” Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 234-2945 and (202) 234-2946
Fax: (202) 265-4795

Consulate of Costa Rica in Washington, DC
2112 “S” Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-6628
Fax: (202) 234-6950
e-mail: consulate@costarica-embassy.org
What else did I do? I sent the above information to Pandas International, which had helped arrange my adoption of a panda cub in China, and requested that they consider sending an official complaint to the gallery, with copies to the Costa Rica Embassy and Consulate. I also suggested they contact other organisations, e.g., WWF (that's World Wide Fund, not World Wrestling Federation), and also animal rights groups to do the same.

BTW, I have seen pictures of the dog who was looking at the camera with very trusting eyes. I think he just kept waiting to be fed and never lost hope or trust in us hoomans.

[Chet]

People in other countries--evidently Honduras, and certainly Greece--are not too concerned with animal welfare, and are quite often very cruel to them, letting them starve, roam free and live on what they can scavange, chase and beat them, and worse. Everyone is not humane in this world, unfortunately. To our eyes it is cruelty, to them it is simply the way it is and they don't give it a thought. I don't understand it and certainly don't condone it, but until these people can be brought to understand what cruelty does, even to lowly animals, it will go on. Perhaps that is the way they treat others less fortunate, or even their children, too.
Bat

It's one thing to let animals, starve, roam free and live on what they can scavenge, but another to consciously choose one animal, tie it up and let it starve to death.

A lot of Muslim countries are especially cruel to dogs because in their religion, dogs are dirty. If a Muslim touches a dog, especially the nose and gets licked by the dog, then he or she has to go through a cleansing ritual which includes using mud.

[saxman]

i think the dogs should ban together and tie him to a rope in an art gallery and watch him starve to death, but thats just my point of view

[Chet]

i think the dogs should ban together and tie him to a rope in an art gallery and watch him starve to death, but thats just my point of view
Mike

I agree with you!

[DaveM]

I'll go along with that, Mike. Punishment fitting the crime perfectly.

Perhaps with an audience of dogs to critique the "event".

[paularoid]

THANKS for the input Chet! All the important information that you put forth has been passed along to those from whom I received the original information in the first place. It will be passed along back up the lines to everyone else as a result. It would sure be nice if something actually comes of it..... but I'm not holding my breath.

[hoops]

what of the passers by who saw this dog and did nothing? that is why the catholic church hangs a Man on a cross in each church, to remember...what of those who passed by and did nothing? and in the "all inspiring" catholic guilt they keep it up. when i was younger, my catholic chuch had a beautiful stone carving of the resurrected Christ on a background of white cloud looking material. when i was about 25, some of the parish decided they wanted the Cross. guilt wins out, and the total nerve of them to misrepresent Christ by making him white, clothing him and washing away the blood and dirt that covered him. what about the people who passed by this thin, sickly looking dog and didn't even offer him food or drink
peace
hoops

[Chet]

A friend said he googled for news about this but could not find anything about it on "mainstream online reporting", and questioned whether this is just an urban legend. Well, I googled and found a long list of news items:
Google News Results (http://news.google.com.my/news?q=Guillermo+Vargas+Habacuc&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=11&ct=title)

I also found an item in snopes.com, which includes a response from the Wold Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
Starving Dog Art (http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/vargas.asp)

[DaveM]

One of the results from Google:

"As was the case when a video of a US Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq sparked widespread outrage, death threats and maudlin displays of outrage across the internet, the news that Costa Rican artist Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas had starved a dog named Nativity to death as part of an art exhibit has been making the rounds on Myspace bulletins and well over a million people have signed internet petitions calling for his banishment to the Chateau D’iff of the art world. First off, the story is almost certainly just another performance art hoax, like the recent Yale abortion art. But even if it were real, the whole point of Vargas’ as he himself explained was to “illustrate the point that…in my home city of San Jose, Costa Rica, tens of thousands of stray dogs starve and die of illness each year in the streets and no one pays them a second thought. Now, if you publicly display one of these starving creatures, such as the case with Nativity, it creates a backlash that brings out a big of hypocrisy in all of us. Nativity was a very sick creature and would have died in the streets anyway.” If illustrating the lazy hypocrisy of so-called “animal lovers” was the goal of the installation, I’d say Vargas succeeded in spades. All the people signing these petitions and expending their energy making Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas a famous performance artist in the name of “animal welfare” should take a good long look in the mirror and realize that millions of cats and dogs are euthanized in this country each year for no other reason than people don’t care enough about them to pay for them to live. Likewise, many millions more are tortured to death every single day to provide our cheap, overly meat-laden diets and yet most people do nothing. I guess its a lot easier to sign some fucking stupid petition than to actually do anything real to back up your supposed convictions. Great job everyone! Way to make a difference. OBAMA ‘08!"

Worth considering, I think. Even if this ridiculous "event" is not a complete hoax.

Does anyone recall the "couple losing their virginity on the Internet" hoax of about a decade ago? Now THAT was Art, even though the perpetrators did not intend it to be so.

[paularoid]

DaveM,

great god of intelligence and reason,

please teach us the errors of our ways and beliefs.




.

[DaveM]

Hehe Paul....but you're the soapbox screamer....I cannot even attain to that.