You might call it art, but as a pit bull rescuer and animal activist, I call it cruelty. Featured in the 'Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World'
exhibit at New York's Solomon Guggenheim Museum is a purely awful
videotape of 8 tortured American Pit Bull Terriers facing each
other and forced to run on antiquated treadmills to the point of exhaustion.
The 'artists' Peng Yu and Sun Yuan, known as 'the bad couple of China's art,' are featured in a New York Times article which refers to "the couple’s work at the Guggenheim is one of their less radical pieces. "
"The seven-minute video shows four pairs of American pit bulls tethered to eight wooden treadmills. The camera closes in on the animals as they face each other, running at high speed.
The dogs are prevented from touching one another, a frustrating experience for animals trained to fight. The dogs get wearier and wearier, their muscles more and more prominent, and their mouths increasingly salivate"
You call this cruelty art? And host it here in the United States with a complimentary New York Times piece?
What will be featured in the next 'art' exhibit? Skinning live dogs and boiling them for the citizens of Yulin to munch on? I mean, really. Where does entertainment stop and art begin? What happened to good old-fashioned paintings of dogs playing poker?
Chairman Mao had the right idea with the cultural revolution. These two 'artists' should be harvesting rice and not promoting animal cruelty. To clarify, "In 1958, after China's first Five-Year Plan, Mao called for "grassroots socialism" in order to accelerate his plans for turning China into a modern industrialized state. In this spirit, Mao launched the Great Leap Forward, established People's Communes in the countryside, and began the mass mobilization of the people into collectives. Many communities were assigned production of a single commodity—steel. Mao vowed to increase agricultural production to twice 1957 levels."
If this is art, then you can have it.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128-0173
212 423 3500
COLLECTIONS
General Inquiries
collections@guggenheim.org
If this is what the Guggenheim has indeed chosen to show, and I will verify this, then it would be truly disappointing. It seems that The desire to shock people and infuriate him has taken over every aspect of our society. Well I understand an art museum isn't necessarily looking to educate people about social issues, I would certainly like to think that they might be sensitive to them.
ReplyDeleteI think we should call and tell them this is not art and why are they showing this? Are they condoning dog fighting?!
DeleteSo wrong call
Deletewhere the dogs destroyed when the show closed
DeleteI don't even have a response to this. The Guggenheim museum should be deeply ashamed of themselves for this
ReplyDeleteThis is disgusting, the fact that The Guggenheim should be ashamed of themselves. This is not art in any form. You would think the Museum would have some sort of pride and respect, but I guess not.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy was it removed? Was it too much for them? But its ok to show the video of dog abuse (because that's whatcit is) SHAME ON THEM AND SHAME ON THE MUSEUM😡
DeleteStart a protest petition!!! This is Animal abuse!!
ReplyDeleteI agree! And, i think we should call the museum and voice our disapproval! Their number is listed on the post.
DeleteSick....only a headcase would see this as art a depraved one at that and sadly the world is full of such.filth
DeleteLets face it these two depraved sub humans are pro animal cruelty
DeleteThis is beyond disgusting and is in no way art. The creators should be persecuted for animal cruelty, not celebrated as"artists." The Guggenheim has sunk to depravity by displaying this, and pandering to people depraved enough to enjoy witnessing such cruelty.
ReplyDeleteI have visited the Guggenheim many times and have seen some "art" exhibits that were laughably bad (a whole wall of brown paper grocery bags with ice pick holes stabbed randomly in each bag, for example), but I've never seen anything in such offensively bad taste and as this exhibit. Shame on the "curators" at the Guggenheim who accepted and promoted this disgraceful video of animal cruelty and shame on any media that promote it.
ReplyDeleteFor the Love of God.. Please get a day job. Feeding this type of evil energy.. Only causes further injury. Especially to the animals. How many of them die, or better said are destroyed because of a breed ban. Or bred because people think their is money in it. To what watch another dog destroy another. Like are you serious.. Do you not have a heart? Of course you do not. You like the money paid.. For people to watch this crap. By the way what are you going to do. When they get loose to attack ypu or a customer? Cry of course.. Someone dead.. And your pocket book emptied. Get a life would ya!
ReplyDeleteI hope someone burns the Guggenheim down after this.
ReplyDeleteHang your head in shame Guggenheim. Thats not art, its just barbaric. Shows how the "ARTWORLD" is going backwards and not forwards :'(
ReplyDeleteWell I definitely be contacting the Guggenheim board!and subtracting my contributions!
ReplyDeleteDisturbing and sickens my stomach!
For shame Guggenheim...for shame!
Agree! I'm truly disgusted by this
DeleteAsia has no regard for dogs or animals suffering for that matter. They have a dog meat festival and skin them and boil them alive. This is the lighter side of what they do. ART? In who's eyes?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe Chinese government doesn't treat its people much better. Still, for this blog to compliment Chairman Mao is disgusting.
DeleteAbsolutely disgusting...feeding the ignorance instead of educating/
ReplyDeleteThis is so disgusting. It's abuse. The fact that anyone would consider it art is revolting. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, this exhibit is in extremely poor taste. It mush be taken down immediately.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely despicable! I literally can't find the words to articulate exactly how enraged I am that the Guggenheim Museum would show this exhibit!!! What a disgrace and unforegiveable decision for them to show this!
ReplyDeleteVery psychopathic obviously there's no empathy caring compassion to torture animals I hope you burn in hell !!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you Guggenheim show
ReplyDeletethese two sadistic psychopaths teetered to the treadmill and forced to run until they die from exhaustion and call it art? Because that's what these two dipshits deserve!
Sickening and disgusting you choose to promote and benefit from this illegal act of animal cruelty!!!
My heart is broken for those poor dogs.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sick world we live in
ReplyDeleteno animal should be abused for "art" as an artist and pitbull advocate I am appalled by the Guggenheim's lack of judgement in condoning this torture and suffering. To the "artists" SHAME ON YOU. I would much prefer to see you in the places of the dogs on the treadmills and I think that that would convey a stronger message as well if you were at all concerned with the senseless pain suffering and emotional torment caused to these beautiful innocent creatures.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is iqnoring the fact that according to the NYT's article they are letting lizards -- supplied by a NY pet store -- devour one another. I doubt you have a leg to stand on re the footage until you can find out the source and their motive for showing video. Sometimes things are shown to promote awareness of inhumane issues. It doesn't sound to me that's the case here. Also I would recommend removing the rice comment as it can be misperceived.
ReplyDelete
DeleteChairman Mao had the right idea with the cultural revolution. These two 'artists' should be harvesting rice and not promoting animal cruelty. To clarify, "In 1958, after China's first Five-Year Plan, Mao called for "grassroots socialism" in order to accelerate his plans for turning China into a modern industrialized state. In this spirit, Mao launched the Great Leap Forward, established People's Communes in the countryside, and began the mass mobilization of the people into collectives. Many communities were assigned production of a single commodity—steel. Mao vowed to increase agricultural production to twice 1957 levels."
Beyond disgusting
ReplyDeleteI want to know where those dogs came from and what happened to them. Boycott this exhibit and these "artists" and this Museum. Tortureing innocents is not art! What is wrong with you Guggenheim?
ReplyDeleteNot only is this NOT art, it is active animal cruelty. The so-called "artists" need to to charged with animal abuse under the federal statutes and the Guggenheim needs to be charged with promoting dog fighting AND animal cruelty. Have you people LOST your minds????
ReplyDeleteThis is not an art! This is barbaric, cruel animal abuse. Anyone that is for this is a monster and should be removed from this planet!
ReplyDeleteWhen did cruelty become art? Guggenheim has clearly slid down the toilet bowl here.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly barbaric and cruel. However, that does not excuse the blatant racism at the end of this "article". Your "harvesting rice" comment is rude and unnecessary. It adds nothing to your argument, but definitely exposes your racism towards Chinese people. Welcome to 2017, where animal cruelty is not okay, but neither is racism and stereotyping.
ReplyDeleteThis is the lowest of the low. I hope your museum gets SHUT DOWN! Anyone who thinks this is art is mentally ill and pathetic. My dogs are my best friends and I couldn't fathom what went through someone's tiny, miserable brain when they thought, 'Hey, this is a fabulous idea!" The blood of euthanized, wrongly accused, innocent pit bulls WILL be on your hands. This agenda truly makes me sick to my stomach. Pull this garbage, animal abusing bull shit from your "art" museum immediately. Perpetuating the stereotypes that follow beautiful puppies is the only thing this is conveying. The fact that anyone thought this was okay and someone else APPROVED it, speaks volumes about the horrendous folks running this freak show. Monet is art. Picasso is art. THIS is ABUSE!!!
ReplyDeleteConcerned & horrified,
Larkin Olson
This is very sick . We must all call and write letters .
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling what to write here. I struggle to understand china and their cruel and barbaric relationship with animals. Now for it to be portrayed as art!!! You disgust me you are no better than those dog thieves that boil and skin dogs alive or beat them alive totally unacceptable in the 21st century
ReplyDeleteYou fucking Asians WILL GET KILLED ONE FINE DAY! YOU UGLY ASS MOTHER FUCKERS!! YOU NEED TO BE SHOT!! FUCKERS!! �� FUCKING MAKE ME SICK!!
DeleteYou should be in the poor dog's position instead. May you have a fierce karma to greet you. You are vile creatures.
ReplyDeleteYou make China look like the sadistic scum that they are.
ReplyDeleteDear Currator as a photographer I can understand exposing acts of cruelty to make change. I have a difficult time understanding why a museum of your caliber would support art that anuses innocent animals turned bad for human entertainment.
ReplyDeleteDo you need attention?
Maybe you can donate large sums of money to stop this sort of activity.
Shame on you.
Have you no empathy?
Pull the show and make a difference.
Karen Kuehn
This show supports abusing animals.
DeleteTotalement en désaccord avec cette forme d’art.
ReplyDeleteSelon mon interprétation ceci est un crime.
Will the Guggenheim's next art presentation be a display of Negro slaves being held in chains, beaten, and caused to fight one another for the sport of white masters? Intentional abuse of any living being is the same evil being represented here. Not art. I no longer support any exhibit associated with Guggenheim.
ReplyDeleteTruely sick in the head if anyone thinks this is art, this is disgraceful and disgusting.. These poor dogs do not want this, making them fight one another tell me does it make you feel like a man, is your own self esteem so low that you have to cause pain on these poor innocent animals.. And display it as art GTFOH, KARMA IS A MF,
ReplyDeleteFucking Chinese bitches.
ReplyDeleteFucking Chinese bitches.
ReplyDeleteHow anyone would consider this art, much less publicly display it as such, is beyond comprehension. I've never been to the Guggenheim, but I assure you after seeing this I have no desire to ever do so.
ReplyDeleteI have three rescue pit bulls and am appalled that the Guggenheim supports the continued abuse and horrid illegal sport of dog fighting by promoting it as 'art'.
Rest assured I'll NOT recommend anyone visit the Guggenheim on their travels.
This is appalling. Anyone know where they obtained these dogs to even do this? Who rescued these dogs from dog fighting only to give them to "artists" who planned on abusing them?
ReplyDeleteFrom China. Why am I not surprised. Why not show the elderly and children being brutalized...because it would be wrong. And that is why your exhibit showing brutalized dogs that have to fight for their lives for the cruel bloodthirsty entertainment of humans is so WRONG. China's treatment of animals has been so inhumane with the torture and killing of dogs and cats. If you are unaware of the dog meat trade they cut of their legs, boil them, hand blow torch them and literally skin them while they are alive and conscious. Please don't promote their horrific treatment of animals with this exhibit.
ReplyDeleteI emailed Guggenheim in 2 areas, wanna bet I never hear back from them!? Can the police not be called to go to the museum and have the dogs taken and given to a Rescue group ASAP? Does someone live close by that could take care of this, coordinate it, CALL THE POLICE FOR THE ABUSE HAPPENING NOW?
ReplyDeleteSOMEONE CLOSE BY, PLEASE RESCUE THESE DOGS, GET THEM OUT OF THERE AND AWAY FROM THOSE ABUSERS NOW!!!!! CALL THE LOCAL POLICE, THE ANIMAL SHELTER NEARBY, SOME OF US DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO GET THE DOGS HELP AND RESCUED!
ReplyDeleteThere should be a petition to sign. This is beyond cruel and wrong. It's animal abuse plain and simple. And if we choose to accept this for "art" how long will it take for our children and the following generations be completely without compassion. Or any moral compass. This is WRONG!!! please help stop it?!?!?!?!
ReplyDeletethis is horrific!! why show this!!!!
ReplyDelete"Hideous dogfighting"? What's hideous about it? These monsters are being shown for what they are. BSL... YES!
ReplyDeleteI hate to break it to you but no dog no matter the breed is born vicious and aggressive, that behavior is learned and taught by a human owner. BSL has been proven to be ineffective and useless as it doesn't decrease dog bites, dog bites have actually risen in places. Its the owner not a certain breed of dog that is at fault for dog bites and being vicious.
DeleteIs this really Guggenheim....torturing animals, how deep can you as "Guggenheim" fall. No respect for any living creature, words fall me apart. Whel anyway the world is watching you.........
ReplyDeleteThe very thought of allowing such an exhibit is an OUTRAGE, and is entirely REVOLTING!!! STOP exploiting these poor animals, and reptiles!!! I should imagine that most people are aware of the PERVERSE CRUELTY that's so BRUTALLY forced upon countless numbers of animals in China, as well as all other Asian countries, with the exception of Taiwan...who has finally seen the light, so to speak in re: of this BARBARISM. Of which is completely DISTURBING, and SHAMEFUL. There should be no place anywhere that promotes/displays the blatant psychological and physical suffering, torture, and downright ABUSE involving animals, and or reptiles. Those in charge of making this MORBID decision at Guggeheim's needs to pull their heads out of their asses...unless they're seeking a permanent blood-stain in regards to their business. If they go ahead with this...everyone, and anyone who gives a care, or damn about animals, reptiles included needs to BOYCOTT GUGGENHEIM'S!!! I personally WISH for every animal abuser on the planet to be destroyed ASAP!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Guggenheim museum should be deeply ashamed of themselves. Animal abuse or cruelty is NEVER acceptable and it is certainly not art!! Disgusting display!
ReplyDeleteA estas alturas de la evolución es una vergüenza ver esas exposiciones de perros, lo considero repudiante...
ReplyDeleteUm, no, Chairman Mao did not have "the right idea." That is complete and utter garbage.
ReplyDeleteThey are simply exposing pitbulls traits to fight! Put other non-fighting breeds on a treadmill and they will not attempt to fight the other dog, but put pits on and it's a fight!!
ReplyDeleteThey're trained to fight. Did you decide to ignore that? Dogs also don't run naturally on a treadmill without being trained first. Don't be stupid.
ReplyDelete
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