Guggenheim Chinese Art Film Exhibit Offends

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is facing backlash from critics and animal rights activists over an exhibit featuring a video of dogs trying to fight.

In the 7-minute video titled, “Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other,” eight American pit bulls are seen trying to attack each other while on a non-motorized treadmill, but they never actually make contact, the New York Times reported.

The Guggenheim announced Thursday that the artwork will remain, despite pleas from activist groups that the video's content amounts to animal cruelty.
“We recognize that the work may be upsetting,” the Guggenheim said in a statement on its website. “The curators of the exhibition hope that viewers will consider why the artists produced it and what they may be saying about the social conditions of globalization and the complex nature of the world we share.”
The video is from a 2003 staged piece from a Beijing museum, and “contrary to some reports, no fighting occurred in the original performance,” the statement says.
“Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other” is just one of more than 150 experimental and conceptual works to be featured in an upcoming exhibit called, “Art and China After 1989,” that begins Oct. 6, the Times reported.
Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, the video's creators, are known for obscure and somewhat disturbing pieces of art. They defended "Dogs" in an interview last year.

“Where is the soft spot in all of this?” Ms. Peng said. “Were the dogs being abused? The answer should be no. These dogs are naturally pugnacious.”
Peng argued the artwork shares a similar message as the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and the purpose of the sporting event “is the conversion of actual fighting into regulated competition.”
“In fact, human nature and animal nature are the same,” she   added.

Link to original article

Here is the link to the art film.

Update, Guggenheim pulls exhibit.

Ye Olde Tattoo Parlor of Prejudice and Pitty

On the far edge of the Pit Nutter Circus, adjacent to the Hall of Burlesque and the Freak Show, you will find Ye Olde Tattoo Parlor of Prejudice and Pitty.  I'm getting a tattoo right across my forehead that reads




and if people look at me askance, pull their children in closer, I'm screaming PREJUDICE!!!  If that employer doesn't chose me, I'm calling an attorney, and there is going to be a lawsuit for DISCRIMINATION!

It is said of folks who elect to have ink injected into their skin,  that they have consciously taken the decision to tattoo their bodies and would like to proudly declare that they are what they are. "They are ordinary people like you and me, except that they have a strong sense of identity they have no intention of hiding." They are not scared of public opinion and would love to let others know what they believe in.   Perhaps they can't say it in words, so instead, they choose a Gothic Font and a scull and crossbones, and there it is written on flesh, everything they believe and who they are.  If you disagree with them, then keep it to yourself.    HATER.  I didn't realize that I did not have a "strong sense of identity", without ink.  Who knew!


                                  This man has a healthy sense of self.
                  
It's ART...well, somebody's art.  But for the tattooed, the choice, the colors, the placement, that is the art.  And damn it, they paid for it!   They chose the pain, the health risks.  They also chose the reactions, but despite having a strong sense of identity, they feel persecuted.  There needs to be awareness. 

My favorite inked folks are the ones who can't afford to pay their bills, often on public assistance,  but they can be found outside the parlor with a pack of cigarettes, waiting to be inked.  It's an artist's life.   It's a lovely scene that has replaced the drugstore soda fountain in nearly every town and city. 


                                          
                   This person has a strong sense of identity, and a slight case of folliculitis.

It's estimated that one if five have elected to have ink, 25 percent of the hip and young people under the age of 30.  It's a hallmark of the zeitgeist of the youth of the 21rst century. The most cited reasons for the elected pain and possible case of hepatitis or tetanus, were to

*Show the world you have passions and interests!   This man, for example,  enjoys the cruel and illegal sport of dogfighting.  He's man enough for the great big back tat and to wear such tight pants that he overflows, but it's apparent, that waxing is too painful.


*be a living memorial to a departed loved one.  This may be slightly more expensive than having a sticker put on your car's back window, but much less expensive than purchasing a plot in the cemetery and hiring a stone mason to carve names on a block of marble. 
        Nothing shows respect for the dead like a skull of a pit bull inscribed with a proper R.I.P.

*Represent a living person, which can lead to a constant reminder of that ex.  There are specialists who can alter that bad memory, or of course, there's the option for removal, WHEW!

*to tell the world that you love Jesus, the Buddha, Elvis, or Satan.  Jesus has a way of taking the scary out the other gang signs tattooed around the neck, and the tear on the face. 

                                              A dogfighting angel, how sweet!


        This gentleman with a strong sense of self expresses his love of Satan and pit bulls.
                                           The polka dotted bow tie is so dapper!


• Military tattoos representing patriotism. I don't know if the military allows for full face and neck tattoos  yet, or for those cool little bits of metal poking out of the face, or the ultimate statement that accompanies ink,  ear plugs. Those are really tribal.  One could claim that it's cultural, and get the civil liberties union involved.  It's only a matter of time until pit bulls and ear plugs are accepted and that the military becomes more enlightened about such things. After all, people who fight for our freedom of speech should be free to express themselves! 
• A dumb, drunken mistake.  They can be altered or removed! 

• Because a friend did it, and you want to be part of the tribe.

And a new reason, is to help restore the image of pit bulls.  It's not working. 

Pibbles Arts and Craft Time

It is officially Autumn time, and nothing brings in the season like setting aside some idle hours, to create away by the fireplace!  Your garden is all tucked in for the winter and pibbles at your feet (take care of those tasty tootsies!), it's CRAFT TIME!   Create some cutesy wootsie kitschy crafts to make for the craft fair or to that Pit bull awareness event...can we say FUNDRAISER for pibbles!!!  Of course, they make great gifts, you can shove your political agenda of owning fighting breeds down the throats of your nay-saying relatives!

 


Uncanny in their portrayals in yarn, pit bulls seem to go right for the scalp!  It is not known whether or not these charming knit caps will actually protect your child from a scalping, or if it may in fact, trigger a scalping!

In this vintage Ken Costume, we find the only evidence that Dobermans were the bad-ass dog of the seventies.  Proof of it, an anatomically correct doll suffering from a severe case of fragile masculinity issues.  But wait, this doll has got the cajones  enough to rock a crocheted suit!  These suits are also great on G.I. Joe!  Creative knitters can easily adapt the Doberman pattern to make them into pibbles, just make the ears a wee bit shorter, and insert some little beady eyes to make them look appropriately reptilian like a pit bull!

This will be heartwarming for your postal carrier, or a good warning.  We used this for lawn dart practice, until lawn darts were banned.
 

Do you volunteer to read to the children at your public library or school?  If you can't bring your therapy rehabilitated rescued bait pibble with you, a life-like mask will be the next best thing!  Think of the impact it will make to a reading of Galunker!

 Make these cute little purses for all of your Republican pals!  If they can accept Palin, there is hope for pibbles!  Hope AND a handy place to keep some change!

Perhaps you have a sensitive new age friend who would never use a plastic or paper shopping bag.  People of this sort are usually vegans, vegetarians and/or animal rights supporters too...perhaps you can get them to help you in those "causes"  to save dogs that maul and kill people, and oppose breed specific mandatory spay and neutering policies .  If you don't tell everything you know, the message will sound politically correct enough for them to join in their support without too much scrutiny!  This has multi-cultural appeal as well, Badabing, you have achieved a political ly correct trifecta with this whimsical bag!

This charming game-bred sculpture may look even cuter with some  candy corn poo.  OR, imagine adding him to the cast of your holiday decor....how adorable he would look,  at Santa's knee, welcoming the kiddies... or in a creche scene, protecting the baby Jesus.   I feel a children's book coming on.....

The pit bull tribe of  facebook fur-mommies can give their spawn a great introduction to the joy of creating arts and crafts and pit bull thug culture, promoting hand-eye coordination while they STILL have hands and eyes! Of course, this activity will keep the brats out of fur mommie's hair while she concentrates on capturing screen shots to share with the tribe.  One would think a "Nanny Dog" should suffice enough entertainment for the tots.

How adorable!

Happy Crafting!

Sergeant Stubby's Homely Pit Art Show II

Mood Music!

 Sing Along!

It was 90 years ago today,
That a ugly little Stubby Stray,
That a Corporal stole away,
On a Ship that was bound away,
To the WWI bloody fray!
And no matter what the PBAM says...

Stubby is a Boston Terrier, so THERE!

It's Sergeant Stubby's Homely Pit Art Show,
We hope you will enjoy the Show!
It's Sergeant Stubby's Homely Pit Art Show,
Get a brown bag just in case you BLOW!
It's Sergeant Stubby's Homely
Sergeant Stubby's Homely,
Sergeant Stubby's Homely
PIT ART SHOW!

"No matter how much washing of my history, I'm just an ugly little Boston Terrier mutt" says Sergeant Stubby.

Bow Wow to the Pit Bull or I'll give you a mauling!

Totem of Fragile Masculinity

Still life with pit bull and cigarette butts, soon the kittens will be still life too.

The Concrete's Just for the weight dear....

You touch those berries and you'll be oozing your own juice....

Miss Pibble loves children, this one is almost ripe.

As if pit bulls couldn't be ugly enough.

A pit bull guards a Fire Breathing T-Rex. 

Pit bulls with wings SOMEHOW don't get out as often, as I've never seen one. Have you?

Behold, it's the DUMP TRUCK DOG!

Oh yes, a wall of Gangsta Graffiti makes the Neighborhood more lovely!  This  hideous mural is in support of keeping a dog named WICCA, in Montreal, alive.  She is reported to have bitten two people.  The judge said, NO!  She has since taken a trip over the Rainbow Bridge. 

Sergeant Stubby's Homely Pit Art Show

Sergeant Stubby is the most curious hero.  Although he did nothing really but be a mascot during a horrible, bloody war, nothing to belittle indeed and enough of a noteworthy service, he is the darling of those who need to revise history to suit their cause.  He is the mascot to all of those who scream "THAT IS NOT A PIT BULL" in the latest media report of some horrible, bloody little battle involving a pit bull.  It seems not even pit bull enthusiasts can correctly identify a pit bull.

However, today I checked Wikipedia, and  today, Sergeant Stubby is identified as a Boston Terrier.  Not a month ago, I could have checked, and he would have been a pit bull. Stubby is a historical magician and shapeshifter.  Look up Gladiolus, Comidia dell' Arte, or Tea, and you will be given the most salient information presented concisely, with M.L.A. style links provided in the most scholarly fashion.   Wikipedia is usually such a good source for most information, as long as it's not controversial and surrounded in any conjecture.  However, on the subject of  Ronald Regan or J.F.K., or anything to do with pit bulls,  or Sergeant Stubby linked through a revisionist lobby's desire for a hero, it's enough to give the mostly good free and publicly created source of information a bad name...like pit bulls.  

Today, however Sergeant Stubby is identified as a Boston Terrier.

"Stubby was a stray Boston Terrier (formerly known as a Boston Bull Terrier) dog that appeared at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut while a group of soldiers were training." 

I'm not taking a screen shot.  
You will just have to take my word for it. 

So, in honor of Sergeant Stubby, real war hero and mascot, rotting away at the Smithsonian in your little glass case with all the secrets we will never know, including your dubious lineage.................an
ART? SHOW  in you your honor,  that we could call art for all its effort and good intentions, and above all, inspiration.  

Mood music

Help, I've fallen and I can't get up.

A piece of folk art from Thailand.  These dogs ward off even more evil creatures.  Most of the time, they are the evil creature. 

Gauguin was considered to be one of the Fauve, 

or "Wild Beasts".  This tribute shows the moment before

 the wild beast turns the kitty into something that looks it went through a Marcel Duchamp cubist machine.

A toast to Sergeant Stubby with some fine
Two buck Boon's Farm from Walmart!

Cheers!

This pit bull's name is Hannibal.

Here, he eats Poodle liver with fava beans and a nice Chiante.

Pit bulls make their own art too.
This one smells a lot like poo.
This is "Fine Art" folks.

Some great heritage it is too, racism and dog fighting......

Remember carving soap as a past time diversion?  Pit bulls enjoy carving too.

A Minimalist piece that may inspire some performance art. 

Screams!

I heard screaming....


I heard hellacious screaming...


Screams.


This is the most dangerous pit bull advocacy myth.  
We must stop the screaming.

What happened to Mona Lisa's Smile?

Mona Lisa becomes a fur mommy!

                                                Mona Lisa adopted a Pibble,
                            She smiled, then it began to wiggle,
                         She let out a shriek, as it sunk in it's teeth,
                                 It was only just taking a nibble.

             

Mona Lisa after. Good news is that she is on the road to recovery. 

Let's see your inspired Limericks!


When you sit beside pibble, take care,
Now Mona Lisa looks just like Linda Blair,
Once bitten, became rabid
And now she has a habit
Of creating "Lab mixes" out of thin air....

But they're really pit bulls
You can tell, by their reptilian stare. 

Not a Limerick. 

Oh well.  Have fun!

Pit Bull Art Show

A detail of a Pit Bull Terrier collage, just lovely.   It reminds me of what a survivor of pit bull "artwork" looks like, sans the stitches and the drains.

Oh, had I a dollar for every time I wish I had a chainsaw ready to go the day one bulldozed into my life.  Pit Bulls don't need chainsaws to destroy trees, by the way.  You can purchase this beauty for less than a hundred, put it by the bed to inspire some serious ZZZzzzzzzs.


Or Nightmares, like this one.

Tuff Love by Jesse Hernandez

Sadomasochistic Stitches

 Presenting.......Pit Bull advocate and artist Drucilla Pettibone!

Once upon a time, there was a talented, bright, eccentric, lovely and artistic young woman by the name of Jere Alexander.  She has dabbled at being a shelter manager, also in many broad studies in academia, a farmer, a spinner, and an artist.  At some time, she has rechristened herself and adopted a new artistic moniker, Lady Drucilla Pettibone. Very catchy!  She holds "Ragtime séances"....she certainly has a flair for spinning ambient names for her sewing circles! 

She's a quite the case study, and I have to admit, I admire her aesthetics and her industry, and I see the glimmer of a talented and brilliant person.   I do not however, admire the fact that she is a pit bull apologist, and find her actions, and some of the symbols she explores to be highly disturbing.

I wonder if this particular art piece was inspired by the "Sweet Pit Bull" that was shot by a police man after sending five children to the emergency room.....

 She wrote in her blog.....

"Hi there pit bull patriarchs,

I've been sorry to hear that some people are upset about my pit bull stitching because they say it glorifies dogfighting. Although it is hard for me to take that critique seriously, I certainly do not want it to be read it that way. For me, embroidering pit bulls does the work of mourning. It's a lot of stitching and I think about each dog and how they may have lived and died. It takes much longer to embroider a dog than it does to euthanize one. And as we know, they are being euth'd by the truckload in the US daily."

A bite is a most basic form of communication. I mean, dogs don't have hands, or English. What are they trying to say? I've seen dogs bite out of love. Extreme love, and the desire to be close, and to play. My dog bite embroidery is a series of linens that have been "altered" by Kaya, the artist, and then embroidered with phrases that I think she might be feeling while she's shredding my linens. 

Ah yes, the dogman's romance.  I wonder if she has rendered any doggie trysts of a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd on a doily, now wouldn't that be something to see!

 

This is possibly the dog.

Read more about this piece here.

After her animal control fiasco, Jere applied for a grant for her "Stitch 'Er Up: Dogfighting Embroidery" collection, which it appears she's a winner!

Here is a collection of more of her work.  She's an artist from the Andres Serrano and  Robert Mapplethorpe school, savvy to know what will set you apart from other artists is controversy and obscene subject matter.  Juxtapose a vintage doily with some dog fighting images, and you have the folk-art equivalent of a plastic crucifix submerged in a bottle of the artist's urine.   I quite frankly think this is desecration of our heritage, these lovely pieces created of the precious idle time by housewives of a by-gone age deserve more respect.

She claims that pit bulls are her favorite breed, but it appears she has recently upgraded to what appears to be a Wolf-Hybrid puppy.  Apparently, pit bulls do not have fur suitable for spinning into yarn. 

She wrote in her blog that she was inspired by a song  by Papa Roach, and she has in turned inspired me.  She has become my nutter goddess muse.

I tear my heart open

I sew myself shut

My weakness is

That I care too much.

and the Scars remind us
that the past is Real
I tear my heart open
just to feel.

I'm so inspired, I've decided to create some  art of my own!  This is a series based on her own work and inspiration......."Embroidered by pit bulls"

Raul Carrizales

Rhett

Amanda Hess and Marie-Helene Tokar

From the Funeral of John Paul Massey

Let me adapt her own thoughts into a  refrain:

For me, embroidering pit bull VICTIMS  does the work of mourning. It's a lot of stitching and I think about each dog-bite victim and how they may have lived and died. . It takes much longer to embroider a dog-bite victim  than it does to euthanize the dog that did the deed.  And as we know, they are being euth'd by the truckload in the US daily. And as we know, there are new pit bull victims daily.
 
A little stitch witchery superimposed on a found piece.  Is it ART?

 Read more about her, this woman fascinates me!