The Guillermo Habacuc Vargas Hoax

77 comments »

1. Thank you for your website and links on this article. I am still amazed, after over a decade on internet, how many of my friends forward emails like this to me and really always believe everything they read… just because it’s on internet.

   Comment by Kalisa — April 7, 2008 @ 3:56 pm

2. Thanks Kalisa… You’re absolutely right. These chain letter internet “outrages” are almost always fake or exaggerated (as in this case).

   Comment by Kris Petersen — April 7, 2008 @ 4:59 pm

3. I would also like to thank you for this article I hadn’t heard anything about this untill somebody invited me to a group on facebook that was about starvation of dogs for art and it had the online petition bla bla bla I wanted more information before I joined the group and found this… It’s all starting to make sense…

   Comment by Veronica — April 8, 2008 @ 7:19 pm

4. Re: ART??!! Abandoned dog captured & tied to short rope in gallery left to die of starvation

   according to this article, and several others i found when researching the su…

   Trackback by tribe.net: harmonicminor.com — April 9, 2008 @ 12:30 am

5. I don’t know what you mean when you say no one raises an eyebrow when stray dogs die all the time and that there is no serious discussion of sterilisation etc. Look into the animal welfare groups that exist such as Dog Aid International for example and do a bit of research into what they are endlessly campaigning for.

   Comment by Kyley — April 9, 2008 @ 4:37 am

6. Nope, the debunkers at Snopes did no such thing. They rank the veracity of the story as “undetermined,” because they, like many other people, find the claim of the gallery director insufficient to prove that the dog was cared for. I noticed you did not quote the artist in that same piece, who refuses to say whether the dog died or not.

   Comment by rockethound — April 9, 2008 @ 4:40 am

7. Nope, the debunkers at Snopes did no such thing. They rank the veracity of the story as “undetermined,” because they, like many other people, find the claim of the gallery director insufficient to prove that the dog was cared for. Of course, she wouldn’t have any reason to deny a dog starved to death in her exhibition, would she?

   Comment by rockethound — April 9, 2008 @ 4:45 am

8. I don’t understand your comment about stray dogs dying all the time and nobody raising an eyebrow and your comment about no serious discussion about sterilisation. Do a bit of research into animal welfare groups such as Dog Aid International for example and look at what they are endlessly lobbying for. They have a huge number of supporters who are extremely concerned about the issue of stray dogs and reducing the numbers of strays through sterilisation. See their website:

   http://www.dogaid.org/

   Comment by Kyley Felix — April 9, 2008 @ 6:40 am

9. Kris,

   Excellent post, but sadly you cant stop the rollercoaster! It seems to be out of control…

   Comment by David Goldberg — April 9, 2008 @ 7:18 am

10. I was looking to see if this is indeed a hoax. I followed the links in your post above, and I can’t say they are as conclusive as you claim them to be. Snopes classifies this as “undetermined”, they don’t claim it to be a hoax. And your link stating that “Habacuc himself brought in dog food” is a link to an article by the guardian that writes that the gallery CLAIMS that he brought the dog food, and it didn’t die.

    I certainly hope it is a hoax, otherwise I would recommend hanging the f***d up “artist” by the balls in an art gallery and leaving him there to die in front of everyone, and a few TV cameras. But I am afraid your post doesn’t provide enough conclusive evidence that it is. If you have any other supporting data, it would be interesting to see it.

    Thanks for your effort anyway.

    Stephanos.

    Comment by Steph — April 9, 2008 @ 8:25 am

11. PS. Having said that, I absolutely agree with your points about apathy towards the problem of stray dogs, and the lack of enough sterilisation, especially in urban areas (Athens is a good example, I’ve done my share there).

    But that in no way justifies such cruel behaviour. If this guy (assuming it’s not a hoax) really wanted to make a point, he could have taken a stray dog and spent all day feeding and medicating it in the gallery in front of everyone. That would have made a point. Not being cruel to “test the reaction of the public”, he has no authority or justification. I stand by my “hang by the balls” suggestion.

    Comment by Steph — April 9, 2008 @ 8:30 am

12. To Kyley: Thanks, I am well aware of DogAid and I very much support what they do, but my point was directly primarily at the masses of people suddenly outraged by this alleged incident. Are these people actively campaigning with DogAid? I don’t think so. I merely wanted to point out that people get outraged about an internet hoax, sign a meaningless petition and that is as far as activism goes… And no one even bothers to check if it is even true.

    To rockethound: If you are familiar with Snopes, then you will know that they list stories as “undetermined” when they lack absolutely damning evidence. Without having the dog sit down and discuss his ordeal, we will never know for sure. Of course, it is a possibility that the director is lying and that there is a massive cover-up… that the artist never fed the dog and that no one came to his aid as he was left to die a horrible death. But Roswell could also have really been a real alien crash landing…

    I have been blogging about the injustices committed against the Palestinians under Israeli occupation for years and this article has gotten more hits than everything I have written combined. Given the sensitivity of this issue, it just isn’t possible for this to have happened.

    Concerning the artist himself, of course he wouldn’t comment on the matter. I wouldn’t either. It was part of his idea to create this fuss and the ambiguity around it… remember?

    And to Stephanos: Of course, these are claims - I think I addressed them above. It’s funny you mentioned Athens though. My girlfriend is from Athens and the stray dogs were one of the first things I noticed about the city.

    But I disagree with you about the way Vargas conducted his work. I think this internet outrage has placed him on the map… I can recite his name backwards now, when I hadn’t a clue who he was three days ago. And why should he self-censor his work anyway. If he had the dog tied up for three hours on a single day (probably because the dog would have begun to show signs of health had he continued to feed it over the course of a week), then I see nothing wrong with the exhibition at all.

    Comment by Kris Petersen — April 9, 2008 @ 11:28 am

13. No,you indisputably called this a hoax in your article, even in the title, but your sources were not enough to substantiate your claim. And with 5 mins of googling i found at least 2 other sites citing your claim. Should be a little more careful about that in general…

    Cheers.

    Comment by Steph — April 10, 2008 @ 7:04 am

14. As I said, we do not have the dog to sit down and talk with… but if you are familiar with Snopes, they list articles as “undetermined” when there are only second-hand sources to be had. Even if the artist came forward and said “Yes, I killed the dog!”, it wouldn’t be enough to prove anything completely. So, in that sense, then you are correct - the sources I cite are not irrefutable proof - but they are more proof than any of the millions of outraged bloggers have provided, calling for Vargas to be killed in ridiculous ways.

    Take the citations however you like, I don’t really care. Yesterday I found it amusing, but today I find it disgusting that this article has gotten more hits than anything I have written about real injustice…

    Most of those so eager to sign the petition believe the blogs outright (and I have seen so many different versions of this story, that they can’t all be right) and have never even read the articles I cite. When very few other people are offering this information, I can at least try to combat this unhinged stupidity.

    Comment by Kris Petersen — April 10, 2008 @ 9:26 am

15. Thanx Kris for you article. Sorry you feel so disgusted - i understand fully. There is absolutely nothing wrong with NOT accepting animal abuse, but i find nothing more hypocritical, sad and pathetic than those who will share their last crumb with an starving animal rather than a starving human! I absolutely believe that whatever this artist did or didn’t exactly do with/to that poor starving animal - who was certainly already in a bad state when he brought him into his gallery - his only aim was to get his name on the world map! Instant success!!! I am also an artist and that certainly isn’t my idea of art. I just wish, like you it seems, that people would put as much energy into saving other humans as they do into signing piffly petitions about kentucky fried birds-without-beaks and flipping HIV-positive needles hidden in mac do playcentres! Yo.

    Comment by Yolanda — April 10, 2008 @ 6:30 pm

16. I couldn’t have put it better myself Yolanda - you captured the essence of this whole fiasco.

    Comment by Kris Petersen — April 10, 2008 @ 6:35 pm

17. I read your post hoping to find some proof that this whole thing is actually a hoax (probably by the artist himself to gain publicity), however you don’t offer anything concrete othe r than referring to the same article in La Prensa that Snopes quote, with the gallery owner claiming the dog was well fed and escaped. Snopes claim the status of the “hoax” is unconfirmed, eg they have not been able to determine if it is a true story or not.

    I truly hope it is not true but I do think you have jumped to some conclusions here. If you have some real evidence then please do share it!

    Thanks

    Comment by Allison — April 10, 2008 @ 6:41 pm

18. Allison - I have already answered comments like this one above… I believe most people hadn’t even read the article in the Guardian and others before signing a meaningless petition and my post offered this. While not 100% irrefutable proof, it is enough for me to realize that either an entire art gallery staff is covering up this dog’s death, or that it never happened. And if, as so many accounts of this story explain, that Nicaragua has no laws against killing domestic animals, why should they try to cover it up?

    This story has revealed how sedated and obsessed with superficiality people are. When was the last time you saw any kind of reaction anywhere near this scale to people killing each other in various corners of the world?

    TO ALL MY READERS: I am bored and frustrated with this story, so I will no longer be responding to comments about it. If you have anything to say about the 60th anniversary of Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinians, feel free to comment on an article I posted today regarding the Deir Yassin massacre.

    Comment by Kris Petersen — April 10, 2008 @ 6:55 pm

19. I realise you won’t respond to this as you’ve stated you’ve had enough of this topic. From comments you have made it seems you have a problem with people who care about animal rights and you say that people’s intense reaction to this starving dog art situation indicates that people don’t care about injustices involving humans. I am amazed that this is the conclusion you have come to. There are endless human rights campaigns for people, and quite rightly so – everything from female circumcision, discrimination, death penalty etc. The list goes on. I don’t know why you think that if people sign a petition about a starving dog it means they don’t care about human rights. You are jumping to ridiculous conclusions and I’d like to see the facts and figures regarding all of the online petitions you have apparently examined. I also think it says a lot about the type of person you are that you claim human injustices are “real injustice” and apparently to show concern for an exploited animal is wrong in your eyes. You imply that animals are unworthy of anybody’s sympathy. This is a speciest attitude. You know nothing about the people who signed the petition and what human rights campaigns they may be involved in. It is a common generalisation people make that animal rights compaigners can’t also care about humans at the same time. Why do you think they can’t show compassion for both? Is it not possible for a person to be a member of Dog Aid International and Amnesty International at the same time?

    Comment by Kyley Felix — April 11, 2008 @ 5:44 am

20. Kyley:

    Ok I couldn’t resist replying….

    You have interpreted my comments entirely incorrectly… I have a problem with people who sign any kind of petition without knowing the facts (or at least trying to learn the facts). I’m not saying many of these people aren’t active in other causes, but I would hope they know the facts before signing a petition. Whether you label me “speciest” or or any other silly term doesn’t really matter to me… To reach the conclusion that I somehow don’t care about animal rights is just silly. When I wrote “real injustice” I should have written, “actually happened” … I don’t believe this happened, so I think its uncalled-for to be outraged.

    Of course I haven’t examined such online petitions in detail, but I have seen many before and none of those for legitimate human rights issues gathered anywhere near the popularity of these silly hoaxes (HIV needles in telephone booths, etc.). And as I have repeated over and over, my website has been around for years and the article beats out anything I have written. And I haven’t been doing anything new in the P.R. department…

    For one example though, a petition to end the Israeli imposed “closure” of Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe that is still unfolding, has received 8,666 signature over the last year. How many signatures has the Vargas petition received since I wrote this article…? About 19,000 more…. putting the total figure (for a very short while) at 30,154. And how many signed in the time it took me to write these comments and refresh the page?? Fifty people!

    I guarantee you that this petition will break 100,000 before the joke peters out. The Gazan petition, however, will be lucky to get the 334 signatures it needs to break 9,000.

    That is really pathetic… and that is why I am frustrated.

    See the Gaza petition:
    http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?SaveGaza

    See the Vargas petition:
    http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?ea6gk

    Comment by Kris Petersen — April 11, 2008 @ 10:30 am

21. I am afraid you have not convinced me that this is a hoax.

    The dog was certainly displayed and it was very ill and very thin there was no visible water or food. The artist has deigned to comment and contradicted himself on four separate occassions the Gallery owner is bound to say that the dog escaped but was fed and watered whilst it was there. He will be terrified of a backlash, after all he allowed the exhibition to go ahead.

    I sometimes despair of the human race, and the idiots that believe anything from a pile of bricks to an unmade bed, can be viewed as art. But if this is true which I believe it may be then it beggars belief.

    Stan

    Comment by Stan Rawlinson — April 11, 2008 @ 11:30 am

22. Apologies for taking this straight off Al’s response from the Design Federation website, but it is so reasoned, so non-immflamatory, that it successfully stopped the knee-jerk reactions and I thought it might do the same here…
    Well, here’s hoping

    Here’s Al:

    Habeas corpus.

    Surely if this story were in fact true, the outcry from all those caring people who witnessed it would have quickly brought the press, the authorities and a lengthy investigation. And yet, there’s not enough evidence here to condemn a man of swatting a fly.

    Does anyone have the gallery brochure on this event? Why are there no reports on the net from eyewitnesses. Why has the gallery owner not come forward or been investigated? Were the viewings continuous 24/7, or just for three hours at a time? Surely getting the facts correct matter here.

    The accusations being levied against the artist are extreme considering the evidence of a few photos, photos that may very well have been photographed mere minutes apart and mean absolutely nothing. The dog may have been fed and given water just fifteen minutes after the photographer had left. Everything else is based on little more than internet gossip and hearsay.

    If people read the artist’s explanation of the exhibit and still did nothing, surely the bigger crime is with the public who allowed it to happen, the gallery who housed the exhibit, and the authorities who did nothing to stop it, all of who openly condoned the exhibit … that is, if the artist did indeed do everything he claimed for his art.

    The dog is very much alive in all the photos I’ve seen of it on the web. Surely if the dog had starved in front of the viewing public, there would be far more gruesome photos of it than the ones we keep seeing of the live pup. I’ve seen the pup sitting, lying, standing, walking, even sleeping peacefully. And yes it’s true, there are no photos of the dog being fed or given water. Then again, there are a lot of dogs with no photos of them being fed or given water. For that matter, there are no photos of me being fed or given water either. Conclusion? Zero. You can’t draw the sort of conclusions people are drawing from any of this. It’s just plain wrong. You may as well hang a man for wearing brown shoes.

    And not that I would want to, but I’ve also not seen this same pup … dead. Given the extremeness of the accusations levied against the artist, I should think it only appropriate that the burden of proof required of the accusers be equally extreme. Yet for all the horror and self-flagellations going on, there is no dead pup, no bona fide as it were.

    But one fact is indisputable. Vargas has generated an enormous amount of free press from this petition for his showing at the 2008 Visual Arts Biennial of the Central American Isthmus, not to mention the rock-star international standing he might otherwise never have gotten without it.

    This alone utterly validates Vargas’ accusatory title, “You are what you read”.

    I say again, habeas corpus.

    In the meantime, if everything that’s being accused is in fact true, there can be little doubt he’ll be arrested at the Biennal that everyone on the internet has advertised so well.

    Comment by Ar — April 11, 2008 @ 2:46 pm

23. Oh! It reminds me of something: the U.S. accepting ANY person who ever fled Cuba and NOT accepting ANY person who fled Haiti, I guess because… the Haitian dictator was a very good U.S. customer somehow! Yes, I love turning it all to politics. LOL. Just try for 2sec to actually have a judgment and do not believe eveything you read. But you need to actually have a culture to do that. Sorry. Does not happen to everyone.

    Comment by Angela — April 11, 2008 @ 3:47 pm

24. I totally agree with Ar’s comment!!!At the beginning of this whole story, to tell you people the truth i was in deep shock or maybe not!!!Explaining myself…Having seen the History of Horror us Humans have produced, images like the Vargas exhibition will not do me much unfortunately, although dog is one of my favorite animals.I was just waiting to see how people would react in this silly petition letter or whatever we want to call it, all my friends were asking: “Did you sign the petition?”I started to feel bad not signing it, when suddenly it stroked me: How do i now everything i see or read on the internet is true or false???Well i just don’t!!!If i haven’t seen it with my own true eyes i can never tell!!!And I’m afraid that this is the the danger of the internet and people that take everything as served!!!
    About the exhibition, as far as i am concerned, as an architect, i believe art is a work that provokes, sometimes in a good way sometimes in a bad way. For the Vargas matter i ‘ll tell you what happened yesterday as i was having dinner. Somebody brought up the subject, and then somebody said “What about the starving children in Africa?” and i thought “Well i don’t know if the Vargas exhibit could be considered as art or not, but at least it made someone question himself about the starving children of Africa and who knows even motivate him to do something to help them.”
    Well this is my story
    Filip the Greek
    P.S Chris, thank you for enlightening us!!!

    Comment by filippos — April 12, 2008 @ 12:29 am

25. “To be fair, stray dogs die all the time and no one raises an eyebrow.”

    Thats not true at all…Have you ever heard of an SPCA??
    People take dogs in daily. Yah some dogs are out there and starving but so are humans (bums) aand there are shelters for them to.

    This guy is shareing a message of starving dogs, but what has he done to help them? Has he donated money to a local SPCA or dose he just feel like making all of us feel like shit? and do nothing himself? Or maybe he feels good enough that he tooks pictures of a starving animal and thats all he feels is nessisary.

    There are tons of things wrong with this world, including starving animals and people. But half the people in this world don’t have enough money to help out others because there starving themselfs.

    I think the death treats are a little exterm, but at lest it shows that people care.

    Comment by Chantel — April 12, 2008 @ 6:44 pm

26. hi. i have never actually replied to a blog before. infact, i debated on commenting at all because of the frustration and almost silly banter going back and forth. i just found the whole dog thing so interesting. i love that people can really get into a debate about something that some might believe has lesser value than another. to be completely honest…I AM THAT PERSON THAT HAS SIGNED A PETITION WITHOUT DOING ANY RESEARCH (the Vargas petition in particular) in doing so, i have stumbled upon a wealth of information. bottom line…i see the whole “hoax” or whatever you want to call it, as a way to learn from others’ actions as well as your own. thanks to everyone that posted especially Kris Peterson. from my point of view, i completely understand why this blog has received more hits…the topic becomes a way to connect and learn by something that is just a little easier to fathom amongst all the chaos.

    Comment by matthew difonzo — April 13, 2008 @ 9:37 am

27. It doesn’t matter if this isolated case was a hoax or not, there are numerous other cases of animals being killed or hurt for art….Why would anyone even do a hoax like this, I can’t imagine what kind of satisfaction anyone would receive from this

    Comment by Devon — April 13, 2008 @ 3:16 pm

28. I believe this is a hoax because of the fact that it takes DAYS for a dog to starve to death. The dog in those pictures is thin, but not even close to death. This kind of thing would have gone on for quite some time, and people would have many more pictures, expecially of the animal in it’s last days, if it were true.

    Comment by Leeann — April 13, 2008 @ 11:33 pm

29. What’s funny is I would be outraged even if it was that he only had the dog tied up for three hours and it “escaped”. That is ridiculous. Oh but of course I am always picking up strays and have had a dog in my house for the last 5 months that got hit by a car and I had to pay out $6000 to get her back to health and walking again. Maybe I should have brought her to an art gallery for a few hours and let her cry in pain and then let her slide herself out of the gallery to escape. Dumb me.

    Comment by Angela — April 14, 2008 @ 12:03 am

30. This whole thing stinks of a desperate artist who wants fame and doesn’t care how he gets it. The gallery let the exhibition happen and are now trying to contain the backlash of public fury by pretending the dog escaped.If the dog is alive and well then lets see a picture of it now.

    Comment by Jenny Wilding — April 14, 2008 @ 10:44 am

31. On the other hand - it could simply be a hoax. People have gotten outraged over the years over stuff that’s turned out to have no basis in fact whatsoever. You put a little kid, or a sickly dog, or a cute kitten in the center of a controversy, and reason and intelligence fly out the window.

    Comment by Brett — April 14, 2008 @ 9:46 pm

32. well… not feeding a dog os animal cruelty, that dog did not look “well fed” and the “artist” in this matter couldnt even say if the dog survived, but apperantly the museum director said it survived… now doesnt that sound like a conflicting story? and bullshit people dont help strays, theres countless websites dedicated to the rescue of stray animals, dude seriousely do your research man in some states its mandatory for animals that arent going to be used as breeders to be spayed/neuterd. they even go the lengths of spaying wild strays and releasing them back if they are “too wild” to be adopted. if anyone wants to bash me or call me a liar please feel free:
    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=100253072

    Comment by anthony — April 14, 2008 @ 10:57 pm

33. Hoax or not, it stirred my stomach enough to want to do something. I am human and we humans sometimes let our immediate emotion get in the way of reason. Peace, All!!!

    Comment by Chandra — April 15, 2008 @ 12:26 am

34. I totally agree with the sentiments against Guillermo Vargas’ piece. It’s little more than an inhumane, ignorant, cruel, and selfish cheap shot. I can think of a million other ways he could have said the same thing. Mr. Vargas could do us all a favor and read a little about a guy named Gandhi. I find the whole situation terrible and making itself into a real bummer. Making matters all the worse, I wish the reaction would have been less emotional and reactive. 

    Ultimately, the petition to ban Guillermo from the Bienal Centroamericana is little more than a declaration that irrational public opinion (devoid of due process, largely based on unverified editorial reports, and an array of exaggerations and rumors) has the right to define acceptable morality in art/artists, and thereby censor it’s offenders. Please consider the possibility of signing that petition, or encouraging others to, as a big step down dangerous and slippery slope. I can’t help but look back and shudder at what happened as a result of the whole Andres Serrano/Mapplethorpe/NEA fiasco; art was criminalized by personal public opinion and grants were cut by millions and millions of dollars. We need to prosecute criminals, not art, especially not degenerate art. The problem is a legal, not moral issue. Both in the US and abroad, proper law enforcement, truly humane laws concerning animal rights/cruelty, lack of adequate public services providing care stray animals, and the legal definition of animals as little more than property (with a value equal to their purchase price), created that dog, in that gallery. Vargas’ seemingly amoral judgement is a symptom of primitive or non-existant law. If the story is true, what is the real crime? It wasn’t a punishable criminal offense for the artist/gallery to treat that animal in such a way. It shouldn’t have been an option.

    His actions, while in completely poor and regrettable judgment, appear to be within the legal boundaries of his government. As it stands, it’s merely offensive. If murdering starving orphan kids were legal in Nicaragua, and an artist found a poignant social metaphor in placing the head of a small orphan child on a stake in the middle of a gallery, wouldn’t the appropriate response be to put pressure on Nicaraguan government to outlaw murder of starving orphan kids? Wouldn’t anyone feel compelled to start an organization dedicated feed and clothe and house and educate these kids?
     
    Also please remember, it is alleged animal abuse. Since when do people go on trial via the internet? Since when do we strip people of their right to due process because someone forwarded us an email, created by anonymous sources, or linked to a blog with editorial content? We must equally consider the consequence of our actions/reactions. 

    Did you see the bit artinfo.com had to say about him:

    “Over 1.5 million people have signed a petition calling for Costa Rican artist Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas not to be included in this year’s Bienal Centroamericana Honduras, the Guardian reports. The outrage comes after an exhibition last year at the Codice Gallery in Nicaragua, where Vargas leashed a stray dog named Natividad in the gallery without food or water as part of his work. He also wrote the words “Eres Lo Que Lees” (You Are What You Read) in dog biscuits for the piece, while playing the Sandinista anthem backwards and setting 175 pieces of crack cocaine alight in a giant incense burner.”

    Agreed, I can’t stand it either. It sounds like the only thing he’s missing free hand-jobs from slave child prostitutes in the back room. But also, 1.5 million speaking out, making their voices heard. That’s incredible and inspiring. Now, with any luck those same 1.5 million people will be moved enough to write the government of Nicaragua, urging generation of legislation protecting animals from these abuses, or help what is also an economic issue by organizing fundraisers to neuter stray animals, provide proper care, etc. I urge anyone who signed the petition to please be more than just offended.

    And, while we’re on the subject of live animals in art, I think Banksey is a douche, and wonder why nobody signed any petitions protesting “Barely Legal”. 

    These links are pics from the September, 2006 show we had here in Los Angeles. I find this piece equally outrageous. Hoards of civilized people gawked, laughed, took pictures of a remarkably sensitive and intelligent creature, then they bought the art and the books and the posters.     

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/true2death/252870011/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/true2death/252614489/

    Also see:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3077217.stm

    All domesticated and captive animals are part of our collective inherited responsibility. For thousands of years we’ve depended on them for survival. In many cases, we’ve permanently altered their genetics to better serve man, and/or eliminated their habitats and natural ability to survive. Through “selective breeding” we’ve rendered animals like the dog an utterly dependent creature, however, unfortunate for the dog, over the past 100 years or so, the “jobs” of most have all but been eliminated. While their functions and value has changed, their value to the humans species remains. Like children, domesticated and captive animals are a personal and public responsibility, please offer the same conscientious protection from undeserved iniquity. 

    D. Jackson

    Comment by Jackson — April 15, 2008 @ 1:12 am

35. It doesn’t matter if the story is real or not, we can only hope that possibly something good comes from this and that it heightens peoples awareness of his “intended” point.

    Comment by adam pinson — April 15, 2008 @ 10:55 am

36. What ever happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’?
    There is no proof, just anger.
    What about ‘beyond reasonable doubt’?
    There is doubt, no proof, just lots of anger

    “In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves”
    Abraham J. Heschel (Theologian and philosopher, 1907-1972)

    Comment by Al — April 16, 2008 @ 2:09 am

37. “What ever happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’?”

    Innocent Until Proven guilty goes out the window for animal abusers and rapists. That’s not my personal opinion but my opinion on society in general. I just can’t understand why a skinny dog on a chain in an art gallery causes more uproar than a one-year old child dying of hunger in Africa. I can’t find a petition that says End Hunger in Africa but I can find millions petitioning against animal testing. It just ain’t right in my opinion. Another sad part of this story is that it exposes how gullible people are. To fall for something just because it was posted online is stupid. Not everything one sees on the internet is true.

    Comment by Johnny Dont Do It — April 16, 2008 @ 10:16 pm

38. maybe it is a hoax, i saw it and was bothered by it believing it was real… not a hoax. You act like it is wrong for people to be bothered by this if they think its real. if i thought it was a hoax i wouldn’t have cared or been bothered. But how do you know it was, you put the same amount of info - or lack there of in your article as the article i read on the artist to begin with. The fact media via on the internet, television, film etc can be used for anything but even if this was fake at least people - the same people you say don’t do anything responded. so we did do something. And for the record as for stray dogs and cats for that matter a lot of people do more than you think to help those issues myself included. The only thing you should worry about is what you do, not the rest of the world.

    Comment by Inara — April 17, 2008 @ 11:54 am

39. I understand your concern for those of us that fell victim to silly you tube videos and facebook groups, but please do not insult my intelligence for being concerned about animal rights!! Who is to say that if the dog hadn’t escaped that he would have still fed him, slippery slope I know but you can’t tell me that tying him up in the first place and using the dog as a mere means instead of an end is any better. People seem to have feelings whether or not they are 100% all the time aware of these feeling do not patronize me for being emotional, you should be more concerned and questioning the people that didn’t know it was a hoax and still didn’t care.

    Peace out!
    Kdawg

    Comment by Kdawg — April 17, 2008 @ 8:39 pm

40. The dog probably died whether or not it was fed. It could have died of starvation, or it could have died of Refeeding Syndrome if they actually fed him. Yeah, read on it. Either way, like you say, there is no way to prove it’s death. It does become an extremely emotional matter when the dog is given a name and the pictures show its deteriorated state. It may just be a hoax, but the exhibition DID happen, thus the capture of the dog DID take place, so the dog was under the care of the artist and/or the gallery. A true work of art would have been bringing this dog back to a healthy state, but that would have taken too long right? This Guillermo guy is just another artist looking to make a quick statement, the typical instant gratification syndrome manifested in this thing he calls “art”. As an artist, aren’t you supposed to study your piece thoroughly; so why did he not study about the medical implications of this action against the dog? Just another ignorant by choice, a fool claiming intelectual and artistic talents, abusing the vulnerable and ultimately killing life. Why is it so hard for you to believe that this abuse did take place?

    Comment by Rocio — April 18, 2008 @ 12:50 am

41. Maybe it is a hoax maybe and thats great and all. I find it very interesting to see how people react, however I disagree with your “To be fair, stray dogs die all the time and no one raises an eyebrow” comment. I think the reason why individuals become so upset with this situation is because stray dogs have the ability to fend for themselves and try to survive. It is nature and the world they are living in today that is the reason they may die. In this “artistic piece” the dog has no other options besides sitting there and dying because an individual wanted to see the publics reaction (that is if this is even real). There is a vast difference between having the option to try and forage for food and survive on your own in this world we have now and not having that option. In the wild (even if that means on the streets of large cities) its called “selection”. In captivity that is called “heartless cruelty”. That is why individuals get so upset… I don’t condone this action because I think it is horrible, however I think it is pretty easy to gauge individuals reactions without having to do this experiment. We live in a free world for the most part, most individuals would like to keep it that way, even if we are talking about the life of a dog…

    Comment by Jason S — April 18, 2008 @ 11:33 pm

42. It doesn’t matter if the story is real or not, we can only hope that possibly something good comes from this and that it heightens peoples awareness of his “intended” point.

    Sorry to interrupt your witch burning, but to some of us, the truth does matter. I’m embarrassed that I was tricked into signing that stupid petition before getting all the facts. Let’s not get too enthusiastic about changing social policy on the basis of rumors, mob rage, email spam and false accusations.

    Comment by Rick Hall — April 19, 2008 @ 2:53 am

43. Jason S… my friend from Bulgaria snowboarding extravaganza 2005 right? What a coincidence, i just came to this page, seeing your reply on the latter. Anyway, i dont want to debate wether this is a hoax or not, but the statement ‘people need to see it on the internet before they care / act’… The internet is a media, what difference from tv news, the newspaper, or radio? Sure, its not that controlled like those media (altho we are being indoctrinated and fooled more times by ‘the news’ then some people tend to believe, but thats another story), but it still is a media bringen certain things, again, to people’s attention. The point is that if this IS true, then it has reached its goal right (to get support, to stop these actions or atleast stop this person is the following battle). And if it ISNT true, then still this entire debat is still missing the point. Cause people DO care, otherwise there wouldnt be like 2.5 mil signatures on this, and this entire discussion wouldnt be online even. The fact is tho, that for most people its an easy way to show their sympathy with whatever the subject is about. Even tho they are ~lazy, unmotivated or simply dont have time~, or whatever the reason is, to start petitions like this themselves, doesn’t mean they don’t care. Cause again, the ones that don’t care simply won’t sign the petition. I for one do care, but there are more ways to do your part in trying to help whichever soul is needed, wether its about animals, humans, the environment, or anything that could use a little help in this world. Change starts with yourself, and the smallest things u do to make things better will have effect. More people should act that way, and have some love and understanding instead of convictions based on their own believes and ‘knowledge’.

    Comment by Jeroen de B — April 19, 2008 @ 3:21 am

44. P.S., i completely agree with your story Jason. “There is a vast difference between having the option to try and forage for food and survive on your own in this world we have now and not having that option. In the wild (even if that means on the streets of large cities) its called “selection”. In captivity that is called “heartless cruelty”.” Very true indeed.

    Comment by Jeroen de B — April 19, 2008 @ 3:33 am

45. Even if it was true, yes, stay dogs do die all the time. But not all the time from someone purposely tieing them up in a corner.

    Comment by Katrina — April 19, 2008 @ 6:11 pm

46. my mom believe all these chain mails… i don’t i tend to look it up first…

    candy

    Comment by candy — April 19, 2008 @ 8:17 pm

47. “Vargas, 32, said he wanted to test the public’s reaction, and insisted none of the exhibition visitors intervened to stop the animal’s suffering. He refused to say whether the animal had survived the show, but said he had received dozens of death threats.”
    If indeed that is the truth, I would say he got the reaction he set himself up to!Not a very bright guy, is he?

    Comment by Treza — April 20, 2008 @ 1:01 am

48. […] άφησε να πεθάνει, δεν σου πέρασε ποτέ απ’ το μυαλό ότι δεν είναι αλήθεια; Δεν το ψυλλιάστηκες όταν κανένα Reuters και κανένα Associated […]

    Pingback by θοδωρής γεωργακόπουλος » Η Ιστορία Του Καλλιτέχνη Που Άφησε Το Σκύλο Να Πεθάνει — April 20, 2008 @ 11:28 pm

49. everything ive read so far says he was 50…..and ive read more newspaper articles than one. all i have to say is that if he did do it he’s a sick person. and i understand some people may not think it’s a big deal since it’s just some “stray dog,” but seriously whats next? humans? maybe we’ll just tie up our favorite cancer patient and wait and watch and better yet we’ll call it ART! Go Vargas, way to make a statement you sick SOB.

    Comment by Emily — April 21, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

50. Why is there such a limited selection of photos available to see on the web if the exhibition left him there three days? Why in none of them is the dog lying on the ground looking desperate and foaming at the mouth from dehydration? (It would have died from dehydration way before it died of starvation) Where is all the dog mess?

    Comment by aloe — April 22, 2008 @ 11:04 am

51. Even if this was a hoax, it still doesn’t justify an “artist” to display a dog or any other creature, suffering. That is not “art”! I don’t even care that the statements made about the dog being fed, etc; only that this dog was on “display”! It isn’t fair! I think that only those who have no conscience would even think of viewing something as horrific as this. Art is not a display of living creatures, human or otherwise, in distress. Art is poetry. It captures perhaps good and bad, but never in living form and tethered. Therefore, if this event was real (and the dog was actually cared for), it still doesn’t justify the animal being tethered and on display in the name of art. This man and the institution should be ashamed.

    Comment by Luanne M. Alvarez-Slater — April 22, 2008 @ 5:04 pm

52. Regardless of whether it is a hoax or the truth, there’s some distorted thinking going on in the artist’s mind. What reaction/response was he trying to provoke? I certainly believe “death threats” was not one of them. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I bet he doesn’t do it again.

    Comment by SoberLibra — April 22, 2008 @ 7:08 pm

53. So the gallery owner (the one who held the show) states that the dog escaped. The artist accused of the cruelty won’t deny if the dog died. Humn, I am sorry, but I am not convinved all is well yet. With an accusation like this, one wonders why the artist isn’t far more vocal about clearly putting it all to rest, perhaps by posting some pictures of an untethered dog??????.

    Comment by Nancy Brown — April 23, 2008 @ 9:26 am

54. What has been shocking to public is NOT the death of a STRAY DOG, BUT rather the capacity of humankind in deliberate and wise action in killing a living creature through torture! However, this does not mean that our society is not suffering from other obviously serious dis-harmonic events, such as war.

    Comment by naseri — April 23, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

55. […] Consequently, I will not have time to post, though I will still be monitoring comments… The Guillermo Habacuc Vargas post is still going […]

    Pingback by harmonicminor.com » O Kris Einai Stin Ellada! — April 23, 2008 @ 3:25 pm

56. I would dearly love to believe this is a hoax, as it would make me feel a little bit better about the world today, as would confirmation that the many adverse world events and suffering are all indeed a figment of someone’s imagination (disturbed as they may be). However, I find it strange that you don’t see the irony of asking us to believe the ‘other’ internet information is any more a hoax than your own diatribe. Personally, I’d rather be found to be a compassionate fool, than a cold intellectual.

    Comment by Laura — April 23, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

57. Like Kalisa said, is it true just because it’s on the internet? So what is the truth? Is the “art” the truth and this claim that it didn’t happen the lie? Or is this claim true and the “art” the lie?

    Why should we believe what you say is the truth over what someone else says is the truth?

    What is real in cyberspace?

    You sure haven’t convinced me. The photos seem to indicate that something happened. Three hours, 24/7 - either way, it was wrong and should not be justified or excused by anyone with a heart or a conscience.

    Comment by Donna — April 24, 2008 @ 9:21 am

58. I first read about this story when a friend sent me the UTube post last week, and I must admit that my very first reaction was to cry! I then sent the link to all my friends (emali & facebook) hoping they would sign the perdition. I then looked up as much information as I could find about this so called ‘Artist’ and the story in question. I still believe that this actually happened, and feel physically sick at the thought of it all.

    Comment by Pamela — April 24, 2008 @ 10:07 am

59. Exactly HOW have you determined that this is a hoax???

    I wrote to PETA about this, and here’s their kind response:
    Many stories-sometimes conflicting-have been circulating about these events, and it has been difficult to verify the reports that we’ve received.
    Because the initial exhibit with the dog took place in Nicaragua, which has no cruelty-to-animals laws, Vargas cannot be charged with a crime at this time.

    Our investigations department is aware that Vargas will participate in a show in Honduras in November. It has been reported that a Honduran group, the Honduras Association for the Protection of Animals and their Environment (AHPRA), has secured the event organizers’ word that the event rules will prohibit animal abuse. PETA’s caseworkers are monitoring this situation and will take further action if we get word
    that Vargas plans to repeat the exhibit with the dog. People often commit heinous acts in a bid to gain attention, so it is important to refrain from encouraging them by giving them the attention that they clearly crave. For more thoughts on this issue, please visit
    http://blog.PETA.org/archives/2008/04/artist_starving.php.

    Exactly what happened at the exhibition in Nicaragua last year may be uncertain, but it is clear that millions of homeless animals are at risk of starvation, disease, violence and death in our own communities right now. To learn more about things you can do to make a difference for
    these animals, visit http://www.HelpingAnimals.com

    Comment by NOT A Hoax — April 24, 2008 @ 6:35 pm

60. If you think of the animal not as a dog but as life and then say life dies all the time and no one raises an eyebrow really could be considered correct. We know that people in 3rd world countries are dying everyday but we do nothing but stand back and watch. Sure there are a few people that may send their 20 cents a day to a starving child from the infomercials plastered on our tvs, but what else are you doing. I severely doubt that a museum would allow someone to starve an animal to death, but would such a fuss had been made if the dog was terminal? You could then argue that it was inevitable. And what about all the on lookers, I’m sure no one would have put a gun to their head if they attempted to free the animal - so in a way they are all just as guilty for allowing it to continue. It’s just another way to think about it…

    Comment by Melissa — April 24, 2008 @ 10:02 pm

61. “After pressure from WSPA, the Honduras AHPRA and the public, the Biennial organizers have agreed not only to make AHPRA official observers but also to include new competition rules that prohibit the abuse of animals.”

    Posted on the WSPA Website: http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/2341_no_excuses_for_cruelty.cfm

    Comment by Somil — April 25, 2008 @ 9:50 am

62. You know I don’t care if the dog was only tied up for 3 hours and fed off scene. It still is sick. A dog on death’s door is NOT art period!!!!! You don’t use the suffering of others to make ‘Art’. He needs to stop worrying about his “art” and take care of the dog. Obviously there is something very wrong with it. Let’s not buy into his crap.

    Comment by Amy — April 25, 2008 @ 4:06 pm

63. Actually, I just came from snopes and they asserted that the dog being fed and escpaed in the night was the official statement of the art gallery as of April 14, 2008. Not that it was their opinion on the matter, as they have yet to determine for themselves if it is indeed a hoax or not. I am one of the many who did a youtube video regarding this matter and most who commented were rather violent with me. At first I believed all of this and for all I know it could be true, but most did not believe that it happened and called me a monster for not caring about the million of other problems that are happening in the world. I took five minutes to read up on the story and post my opinion, so everyone thought that thats all I care about. I do my share of helping with many different charities for both animals and humans, but somehow that five minutes turned me into someone who cares more about animals then humans. It just shows how angry people can get over something so small. The internet spilt into two packs with two different pack mentalities and it just makes me sick to my stomache.

    Comment by Elle — April 25, 2008 @ 9:47 pm

64. OK… hands up who owns a dog?

    Hands up who owns a dog that never defacates or urinates?

    Hmm… not many hands still up…

    Do a search.. look at the photos. The dog is sat on a bare concrete floor. Concrete shows damp up, it stains. This dog was allegedly left for days, and yet, this stray (read non house-trained) dog NEVER needed to do what comes naturally.

    Yes, this dog is thin, but, anyone who’s ever seen a real-life animal rescue programme on TV will know that truly starving dogs are far thinner than this poor beast. It’s eyes aren’t sunken, it’s ribs aren’t protuding.

    In not one photo is the animal in a condition worse than the previous.

    If this had really happened, anyone think that maybe, just maybe, at least ONE animal lover would have protested at the time? Taken a photo or two of the dog showing it’s suffering? Where are they? Where are the photos of a dead dog lying in faeces and urine? Don’t you think there would have been an outcry BEFORE the exhibition? Have you never seen a media frenzy? Ask Damien Hurst how much outcry there was before his exhibition of a dead cow. Not after, BEFORE!!!

    Do a search for dead dog, look at those photos. Look at the detritis around them.

    One last question. When you receive yet another chain-email, will you believe everything you read? I’ve received plenty over the years, some many times over. Not once have they proved to be true. Latest super virus? Bill Gates giving money away? “But, wait, that’s trivial, this is dog!” you cry… true, but, who sent you the email? The same people who send every chain email they get? Thought so.

    If you really care about preventing suffering to animals, don’t waste your time signing online petitions that nobody will take notice off. Get up, put your hand in your pocket and give real money to real animal protection charities. They’ll thank you for it, and save the lives of animals the world over. And you’ll feel a whole lot better knowing that you did something to REALLY help animals.

    Oh, and for all those who think I’m not an animal lover, the 21 pets of various species would disagree… if they could talk.

    Comment by Jon — April 25, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

65. […]

    Pingback by Anonymous — April 26, 2008 @ 3:13 pm

66. A hoax? The dog was regularly fed? I don’t know if you know anything about starvation but animals generally tend to not look so emaciated if they are fed everyday. His whole story about letting the dog free everyday, feeding it and it “escaped” the very last day and didn’t die all sounds very suspicious doesn’t it? Thats CLASSIC animal abuse excuses/explainations. That dog was dying and being starved clearly. I work at a vet clinic but it doesn’t take an expert to realize that. Anyone who just says the dog is “thin” is completely and utterly wrong. I’ve seen starved dogs with my owns eyes and this dog was dying, plain and simple. Shame on you for promoting this as a hoax.

    Comment by Lex Hand — April 27, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

67. I don’t know whether or not the chain email referred to a true event outcome or not. The photos clearly showed a fairly thin dog chained up, at different times. Whether or not the dog was starved to death I do not know, I protest about the thought that it might have been. One contributor makes comment about stray dogs dying all the time - sadly this is so. The difference is they die of neglect not because of a deliberate act (perhaps). Maybe neglect is a deliberate act - the debate could rage for years and humanitarian attitudes can sway opinions across the world. In my part of the world we have charities which try and alleviate unnecessary suffering - if this dog was starved to death that was unnecessary. I hope the artist did feed the dog as has been alleged - if his model / subject had been human he would have had to pay for the model’s services - why not reward the dog with food and life.

    Comment by James Craig — April 30, 2008 @ 2:19 pm

68. Thank you so much for posting what I was just thinking when I received this email. It’s amazing to me how many people accuse in another’s back yard but never look into their own. They’ve made the artist infamous through their own ignorance. As I’m assuming, he pretty much knew they would. It’s a relief to read a little reality and depth in this day and age in the cyber realm of phantasm.

    Comment by Kass — May 1, 2008 @ 5:56 am

69. I think most people are missing the point. This work is about how humans behave, our belief systems, our interactions, and our understandings. The dog was just a prop, and im sure it was fed and cared for in the gallery space. The fact that there have been these petitions, blogs, and facebook groups regarding this make this a successful art work.

    Comment by ben — May 2, 2008 @ 9:25 am

70. David - the comment that people see this all the time in the streets and do nothing. You must be speaking about personal involvement. I do all sorts of things. I know people say “what can one person accomplish”. If one person does one thing, times a million, then things get done. If every person did something we could, as they say, move mountains.
    I write letters, make phone calls, encourage others to do so, and when the outcome is positive it is amazing on their reaction “look, we did it?” as though City Hall really was immovable.
    TO generalize is ignorant. You may not do anything but write your bleak commentaries - there are others out there dedicating their lives doing and making a difference.
    This is not, again , an artist. He is not more than an abuser with an audience, a huge ego, and a poor self image.

    Comment by Jill — May 2, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

71. He may/may not have tied the starving dog to a wall for 3 hours/3 days/3 months. It may have escaped/died/even been taken home by the artist.

    The fact remains…as an “artist” he took a live but failing creature, tied it to a wall and allowed others to gawk at it.

    If the viewers did nothing, shame on them. If the Gallery did nothing to ease it’s suffering - shame on them too. If the artist was using the dog as a statement about hypocrisy, then maybe he would have fed, cleaned up the dog and shown affection to the beast in his hours of care. Then taken it home. His statement to the world would have been just as clear as an artist, and much more humane.

    But in reality, he was trying to gain attention by being as controversial as he could be. Be pleased that so many will be upset and will sign a petition for hypocrisy and cruelty to NOT be part of art.

    It is a considered opinion that those who will be cruel to animals deliberately, have no feeling for the human race they belong to and will commit atrocities on their own species too. Again - be grateful that so many emotional people responded to the petition, sought further information on it and were led to your links. Those who care about animals will help any live being if they possible can.

    Against “bad” art - I have no problems simply signing a petition. I direct my energies and some of my limited earnings to charities who help people. The fact I care about the one does not mean I am ignorant or uncaring about the suffering of all.

    Comment by trish — May 3, 2008 @ 9:45 am

72. I lobve how people here claim it is not a hoax and that there are international organizations involved in making sure this doesn’t happen. You apparently have not gone to South America or some Eastern European countries, where stray dogs are the norm and no one bats an eye. I am sorry if this dog died, sadly, even if he fed him and let him go the thruth of the matter is that this dog died then on the streets. I am glad this story came up to wake up people to have happens to strays (some here in the US and some outside), but just like the story in Puerto Rico where they threw dogs off a bridge, I give you all until Memorial Day (30 more days) for you to stop caring about this as well. Put your money and time where your mouth is and stop with the outrage if you do nothing to help out.

    Comment by vanyvrgs — May 3, 2008 @ 5:30 pm

73. thanks for the news

    Comment by MoJo — May 4, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

74. The outrage continues. There is a facebook group asking people to boycott him.

    Comment by staticbrain.com — May 6, 2008 @ 7:46 am

75. To my mind this is an outstanding piece of art - the dog dying in the ‘art exhibit’ is undoubtedly a fake (a couple of pics of a scrawny dog in a gallery - what does that really mean - nothing until you add some inflammatory narrative about the dog dying).

    The real artwork is at work now - on this page and across the web - stimulating a global pack mentality and moral hysteria on an international scale via a couple of photos and a few words on the web.

    And when you look at the numbers that have signed the online petition, isn’t the punchline obvious from the original ‘report’:

    The entire spectacle appeared under words made out of dog food: “Eres Lo Que Lees” (You are what you read).

    Genius.

    Comment by masher — May 6, 2008 @ 5:46 pm

76. quick way of gaining notoriety for any artist. or maybe he is showing how quickly people react to presumptions without actually having analysed or formulated their arguments..who knows

    Comment by Navcity — May 9, 2008 @ 12:31 pm

77. I think that this proves once again the old adage.. the idea of “WHAT IS ART?” How much art is repulsive FOR A REASON. I have used “”repulsive”" sosciocultural issues in my most recent work. It was repulsive because of the extremely contradictive aspectives it addressed in its naturally conservative environment, but it addressed the real with video-testimonial My final show in the university is done. Im getting together 4 grad school

    Comment by James Bentley — May 11, 2008 @ 6:20 am

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