The Art of Winning Victories for Animals

For the past few years, PETA has been working with the
College Art Association (CAA)—a national art organization whose membership
includes more than 2,000 departments of art and art history in colleges and universities and
more than 12,000 art professionals—pushing for the implementation of clear policies
regarding the use of animals in art. In an important victory for animals, the
CAA Board of Directors approved the publication of a statement of principles regarding animals in art that will help guide the practices of artists and
curators. The principles state, in part, “No work of art should, in the
course of its creation, cause physical or psychological pain, suffering, or
distress to an animal.”

It’s unfortunate that these guidelines are even necessary,
but certain intellectually and morally bankrupt “artists” turn to
animal exploitation since they know that it will cause a cheap sensation and
generate buzz. Their dubious number includes Tom Otterness, who shot a dog for an “art” film; Nathalia Edenmont, who kills and stuffs mice, rabbits, and cats for her work; and Marco Evaristti,
one of whose installations involved putting goldfish into blenders, all but
daring jaded thrill seekers to turn them on and shred the living animals—and
some did.

The new CAA statement will encourage the creation of truly imaginative work that will offer new ways of looking at our fellow beings—without causing them
harm in the process.

What You Can Do

Please check with the art department at your college or
university to make sure that it’s aware of these guidelines and will be
adhering to them, and be sure to alert PETA if you ever see live animals used
in an art installation or discover that any animals are being killed for art.

Read more at The PETA Files