Art Instalation Shut Down at the VAG

by clorenz1 | April 16, 2007 at 09:54 am | 1046 views | 1 comment

Statements have been issued, and Vancouver has a new art world controversy. There are reports that 4 of the caged animals died over the weekend, and the SPCA has closed down the actual art installation that enclosed various species. The artist, Huang Yong Ping, is protesting the closer of his work, and calling it censorship of the worst kind. While the artist may be drumming up a fury of news coverage for his lost expression, he was also not willing to adjust the piece after a veterinarian was brought in to evaluate the enclosure, so that the creatures living within it would remain safe, and healthy. This will be the second time one of Ping's exhibits will have been shut down amid accusations of animal cruelty.

Dr. Carol Gigliotti is speaking on CBC in a few minutes about the controversy. Click Here at 3:00pm PST, and listen live on the Victoria link...

The exhibit included a disclaimer that all animals were bred in captivity and would be sent to good homes after the show closed.

"In my mind that doesn't make it right," said Gigliotti. "That's like saying, this woman was born into slavery so it's ok, she's used to it.'"

Gigliotti slammed the gallery for first displaying the animals "without water, without any place to hide, with one light source so it was very cold, they need a lot more heat."

After the SPCA's first visit the gallery provided water and hiding places, said Chortyk. Later, a veterinarian examined the animals and the SPCA ordered removal of the tarantulas and scorpions.

Instead, said Huang in the release, "we must remove all the animals in Theater of the World but leave behind the emptied physical structure, and to do so as a sign of protest."