Not Art.

I just had myself a good cry. Well, not a good one, but a cry nonetheless. I don't know if everyone is aware of any recent news in the art world, or if the name 'Guillermo Habacuc Vargas' repulses you, but it's something that should be brought to everyone's attention.

In 2007, Costa Rican 'artist' Guillermo Habacuc Vargas paid a group of children to capture a dog off of the street, and then he chained the dog to a wall and slowly AND PUBLICLY starved the poor creature to death. He calls it 'art'. Apparently some agreed with him, as he's been asked to represent Costa Rica in "Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008".
This 'work of art' has created a mass outrage. Petitions have been created, thousands have signed, and millions are trying to prevent Vargas from being allowed to enter the competition, or whatever the fuck it is. I've heard that he wishes to recreate the first 'piece', which means the starvation and death of another innocent creature.

I'm getting teary just thinking about the photos of the exhibit. The dog was curled up, skeletal and broken, while patrons and other art-lovers just walked around the gallery and did nothing. That's what kills me the most. That nobody stepped in and did something. That the dog died needlessly, all in the name of art.

This is not art. This is inhumane. This is heartless. This is torture. This is cruel and unusual and just plain wrong.

It's murder, plain and simple.

I'm not trying to recruit anyone to a cause. I'm not trying to define the boundaries of art, although art is supposed to be what is aesthetically pleasing; how could this act of blatant cruelty and neglect be considered beautiful?

But please, be aware that horrible things are being done in the name of art. It's not right, or fair, and it achieves nothing.

If you would like to sign the petition, you can do so here:

1. http://www.petitiononline.com/ea6gk/petition.html
2. http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html