GALE HART
Gale Hart is an arts advocate for animal rights, she has put together a series of gallery openings. These openings exhibit the fight for animals and their rights through art (Harts art to be specific). An Interview by Bree Garcia thru Word Press showcases a little bit of Harts “Show Some Emotion Exhibition.” Audience members leave Harts exhibits feeling compelled to make a change in the lives of many suffering animals. Her outlook on said topic allows her to create gallery exhibits that speak. Hart is establishing awareness for social change. She is a true activist. Her my not express a specific solution to end animal suffrage, but it posses the question for viewers; “What will you do to put a stop to animal suffrage?”
"Is there one specific work in the show that you feel is a statement piece, one which encompasses your artistic vision and the significance of your message?"
"Would you Could you Should you (Installation) is a replica or a traditional old barn. The kind you would see driving in the country that may make you feel warm or nostalgic or maybe just enchanted with its architecture. There are no windows and the door cannot be opened. Around it are animals that are made out of saw horses that have feed sacks for heads. They have mostly happy expressions on their faces, one looks surprised. They are gathered around the barn. There is a lever on the front of the barn that the viewer is asked to pull down. When you give it a good pull it makes a thud sound and a feeling you have hit something and then a sign pops out the roof that says OW! The message is pretty clear. We hide the cruelty of the killing of animals for food. We deny our participation by not looking at it or refusing to see. We tell ourselves it is normal and natural to harm, cows, chickens and pigs while we have disdain for abuse to dogs and cats. If one allows themselves to fully experience the installation then they can imagine the act of taking a life and the painful reaction of the animal victim. Some people don’t have to imagine and have a more immediate sense of dread after pulling the handle. I have wanted to give people the experience of the kill for a long time without being graphic. I thought if it was subtle and to the point it would have a greater effect; but I am not opposed to taking the piece in a darker direction at some point. I do prefer sarcasm and humor over graphic images though."
"A portion of your exhibition focuses on how animals are perceived and treated; for example in the series of wood painted panels you use animals and text which pertains to how society may see animals a resource or as a commodity, can you expand on the impact of artistic activism and how you are trying to change that perception?"
It seems in western society we are obsessionally driven by money and success. Most of us are, or at some point have been willing to use another person or animal to get something we wanted. Our focus generally is outside of ourselves to obtain happiness and I think that leads us to objectify each other and animals. We are morally stunted because we make choices to do harm instead of finding ways to support one another, nature and the animal kingdom. Extermination and disregard are normal ways to treat animals and some people. Living animal beings are referred to as “its” not only is it an incorrect use of the word but it helps us keep the notion in place that animals are a commodity and not a living being with feelings, needs and a desire to live. As an activist I just look for ways to bring awareness in creative ways to the viewer. We are very brain washed so that is a big challenge, as well as our apathy and belief that we were given animals to do what we want to them.
"Is there anything that you would like the public to know about Gale Hart?"
"That having my talent is not as easy as it looks. I struggle with putting so much activism in my work when I could choose a path and make art that matches couches and decors. I divide art in to two categories, art that is meant for our souls and art that is meant for our walls. I can do either but feel empty when I do art for walls. Maybe because I am just more interested in tearing walls down!"
Gale Hart is an arts advocate for animal rights, she has put together a series of gallery openings. These openings exhibit the fight for animals and their rights through art (Harts art to be specific). An Interview by Bree Garcia thru Word Press showcases a little bit of Harts “Show Some Emotion Exhibition.” Audience members leave Harts exhibits feeling compelled to make a change in the lives of many suffering animals. Her outlook on said topic allows her to create gallery exhibits that speak. Hart is establishing awareness for social change. She is a true activist. Her my not express a specific solution to end animal suffrage, but it posses the question for viewers; “What will you do to put a stop to animal suffrage?”
"Is there one specific work in the show that you feel is a statement piece, one which encompasses your artistic vision and the significance of your message?"
"Would you Could you Should you (Installation) is a replica or a traditional old barn. The kind you would see driving in the country that may make you feel warm or nostalgic or maybe just enchanted with its architecture. There are no windows and the door cannot be opened. Around it are animals that are made out of saw horses that have feed sacks for heads. They have mostly happy expressions on their faces, one looks surprised. They are gathered around the barn. There is a lever on the front of the barn that the viewer is asked to pull down. When you give it a good pull it makes a thud sound and a feeling you have hit something and then a sign pops out the roof that says OW! The message is pretty clear. We hide the cruelty of the killing of animals for food. We deny our participation by not looking at it or refusing to see. We tell ourselves it is normal and natural to harm, cows, chickens and pigs while we have disdain for abuse to dogs and cats. If one allows themselves to fully experience the installation then they can imagine the act of taking a life and the painful reaction of the animal victim. Some people don’t have to imagine and have a more immediate sense of dread after pulling the handle. I have wanted to give people the experience of the kill for a long time without being graphic. I thought if it was subtle and to the point it would have a greater effect; but I am not opposed to taking the piece in a darker direction at some point. I do prefer sarcasm and humor over graphic images though."
"A portion of your exhibition focuses on how animals are perceived and treated; for example in the series of wood painted panels you use animals and text which pertains to how society may see animals a resource or as a commodity, can you expand on the impact of artistic activism and how you are trying to change that perception?"
It seems in western society we are obsessionally driven by money and success. Most of us are, or at some point have been willing to use another person or animal to get something we wanted. Our focus generally is outside of ourselves to obtain happiness and I think that leads us to objectify each other and animals. We are morally stunted because we make choices to do harm instead of finding ways to support one another, nature and the animal kingdom. Extermination and disregard are normal ways to treat animals and some people. Living animal beings are referred to as “its” not only is it an incorrect use of the word but it helps us keep the notion in place that animals are a commodity and not a living being with feelings, needs and a desire to live. As an activist I just look for ways to bring awareness in creative ways to the viewer. We are very brain washed so that is a big challenge, as well as our apathy and belief that we were given animals to do what we want to them.
"Is there anything that you would like the public to know about Gale Hart?"
"That having my talent is not as easy as it looks. I struggle with putting so much activism in my work when I could choose a path and make art that matches couches and decors. I divide art in to two categories, art that is meant for our souls and art that is meant for our walls. I can do either but feel empty when I do art for walls. Maybe because I am just more interested in tearing walls down!"
MARIANA CEROVECKI
Cerovečki is twenty-one years of age and lives in Croatia. This artist works on exhibitions, documentaries, videos, blogs, and many other art forms that generate mindfulness on the topic of animal rights. "Would You Eat a Dog or a Child?” is a recording of a performance done by Mariana Cerovečki. In this piece Mariana Cerovečki has sculpted animal parts as well has human parts. She has set them on a plate and covered the sculptures in what looks like spaghetti sauce. The plates and sculptures sit on a nice tablecloth, candle covered table in what looks like the middle of a paisa. There are signs taped to the side of the table that read Stop Speciesism. Speciesism equals the values and rights in consideration to individuals on the basis of species. The term is used mostly by animal rights advocates. Throughout the video people stop and ponder the exhibit. No one asks any questions and Cerovečki continues to pretend that she is dining on her sculptures. Occasionally letting “spaghetti sauce” spill out of her mouth.
Cerovečki is twenty-one years of age and lives in Croatia. This artist works on exhibitions, documentaries, videos, blogs, and many other art forms that generate mindfulness on the topic of animal rights. "Would You Eat a Dog or a Child?” is a recording of a performance done by Mariana Cerovečki. In this piece Mariana Cerovečki has sculpted animal parts as well has human parts. She has set them on a plate and covered the sculptures in what looks like spaghetti sauce. The plates and sculptures sit on a nice tablecloth, candle covered table in what looks like the middle of a paisa. There are signs taped to the side of the table that read Stop Speciesism. Speciesism equals the values and rights in consideration to individuals on the basis of species. The term is used mostly by animal rights advocates. Throughout the video people stop and ponder the exhibit. No one asks any questions and Cerovečki continues to pretend that she is dining on her sculptures. Occasionally letting “spaghetti sauce” spill out of her mouth.