Controversial Artist Ditches Plan to Starve Piglets, Animals Stolen

A controversial artist, Marco Evaristti, has abandoned his initial plan to starve three piglets to death as part of an art exhibition in Copenhagen after the animals were stolen by animal rights activists. Evaristti, originally from Chile, aimed to shed light on the suffering caused by mass meat production through this provocative display.

The piglets, named Lucia, Simon, and Benjamin, were deprived of food and water with the intention of allowing them to perish. However, following the theft orchestrated by Evaristti’s friend, Caspar Steffensen, the artist had a change of heart. He expressed disappointment initially but later acknowledged that the piglets were now rescued from a grim fate.

Evaristti’s exhibition, titled “And Now You Care,” featured a cage constructed from shopping trolleys housing the piglets. The artist sought to highlight the harsh realities of pig farming in Denmark, where sows are bred to produce more piglets than they can nourish, leading to competition for milk and starvation among the young.

While Evaristti’s initiative was aimed at raising awareness, various animal rights organizations raised concerns about animal welfare and condemned the potential cruelty involved. Steffensen, moved by his daughter’s plea to save the piglets, facilitated their liberation from the exhibition.

Despite the setback, Evaristti plans to revive the exhibition by showcasing deceased piglets obtained from meat processing facilities in a transparent refrigerator. His goal is to illustrate the cramped and dire conditions in which animals are kept in agriculture. He expressed willingness to pay a significant amount to acquire these deceased animals for his display.

The artist’s unconventional approach has sparked mixed reactions, with some applauding his attempt to provoke thought on animal rights issues, while others criticize the controversial methods used. The incident has ignited discussions about the boundaries of art and activism, underscoring the complex relationship between art, ethics, and social commentary.