Costa Rican Artist Under Fire For Starving Dog As Part Of Art Exhibit
Warning: This story may disturb some readers.
There is global outrage over a Costa Rican artist, Guillermo “Habacuc” Vargas, who tied up a starving and sick stray dog as part of an art exhibit in Nicaragua in August.
Vargas paid two children to catch the stray dog. He then tied the dog in a corner of the gallery and informed others to not feed the dog or give him water. The dog died after a day.
As part of his art exhibit, Vargas included a legend spelled out in dog food reading “You are what you read”, photos and an incense burner. He said his piece was a tribute to a Nicaraguan burglar that was killed in Costa Rica by two rottweilers that were guarding the property.
Vargas said: “I won’t say the dog died. The importance to me is the hypocrisy of the people where an animal is the focus of attention where people come to see art but not when it’s in the street starving to death.â€
The artist has been chosen to represent Costa Rica in an art event, “Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008″. There is an online petition that is boycotting Vargas and is asking that he be banned from participating in this event.
Sources: Costa Rica Blogs, Care2
Photo: The GinBlog
(Thanks John)
October 19th, 2007 at 7:39 am
I understand his point but this is just wrong. It is like killing people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong.
Just wrong.
I often feel this way about animals that, through some misfortune, are placed as individuals in the public eye. There is an outpouring of sympathy for them. The same animal, just one among thousands, elicits not a second glance. We seem to only be able to empathize with individuals, not groups.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:06 am
This is art? Disgusting.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:15 am
The message is worthwhile, however if this “artist” was any good at his craft, he could have been creative enough to find an alternative medium to convey it.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:21 am
I hope he never tries to come to the United States. He needs to be tied up without food and water until he dies. Now that would be art.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:40 am
That poor dog did not deserve to die to get this guy’s “message” out there. I still don’t understand why people think we cannot take care of BOTH humans and animals. Why do they think we don’t care about people because we care about animals?
ART? I don’t think so.
Also wonder why those people who saw his “exhibit” didn’t try to do something about the poor dog.
Godspeed Stray Dog ~ you were really let down by people. I’m so sorry that your life ended in such an atrocious manner.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I don’t understand how so many Americans retire to Costa Rico. I visited there and couldn’t believe the state of the animals — dogs, cats and others. Couldn’t wait to get out of the country. I never realized killing a live creature was part of “art.” I’ve signed the petition but unfortunately don’t believe he will be banned from the show. Too many countries care nothing about their animals, e.g. Puerto Rico. Another place filled with starving and sick animals. Throwing them off the bridge was just icing on the cake.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:15 am
I consider this person a sadist attempting to pose as an artist. He most definitely should have tied himself up and been starved to prove a point. The only real point he proved was that he is a self centered piece of sht who has no real compassion for any living creature. He murdered this dog.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Vargas should be executed.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:57 am
I can’t believe I am reading this! WTF?! Who is this idiot? This is art? This guy is a murderer…not an artist. What a weird freak. He should be shot and hung by his feet. Now THAT is art!
October 19th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Macushla: My experiences in Costa Rica were very different. Costa Rica is the only central american country I’ve visited where, at least in the big cities, there are vet clinics, pet stores, and other signs of animals being viewed as companions. Even in the countryside, the animals I saw looked fairly well cared for. They’ve got a ways to go for sure, but I think they are on the right track.
A country has to have a population with disposable income before you’ll see dogs and cats getting decent care. If you can’t feed your children, you don’t spend money on animals, that’s an unfortunate fact of life in much of the world. As for spay and neuter, this will probably be a long time coming - not only due to economic factors, but social and cultural ones as well.
Now if you want to get me started on bad animal treatement - I could tell you a few stories about Peru that would make your head spin.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Killing a living being as “Art?”
What is wrong with our species? Can’t we do better that to BE like this? If we can’t maybe we deserve to be wiped out in the big environmental crisis that is surely to come.
Stefani
October 19th, 2007 at 11:16 am
I like art. I don’t go to many art shows, but I do like art. All kinds.
I would sooooo much rather see a starving artist tied up than a starving dog. I might could see the creative value in that.
Yeah. Costa Rica. Sounds like a really nice place to retire. NOT.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Art is supposed to send a message. The only message I see in this is the artist and everyone involved didn’t have a shred of compassion in their heart to give a living creature a little food and water. For what purpose?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:42 am
how the h*ll is this art? As an artist, I am totally insulted. That poor dog…how could anyone with any heart just sit there, watch that, and do nothing. What Vargas should do, in his next “appearance”, art imitating life… “Vargas chained in the corner starving to death”… give new meaning to “Starving Artists”. What a sick demented freak.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am
so apparently costa rica has no animal cruelty laws or this creep would be in jail right now.
also, apparently his minions are spineless boot lickers if they would follow this monster’s instructions to starve an animal to death. see jail above.
this is not art but sensationalism in its basest form. i imagine no one outside his country ever heard of this joker before this happened. now he’s made a name for himself, so mission accomplished for him.
his “message” is a load of crapola. the real message is “I am the lowest form of life imaginable, torturing and killing for my own personal aggrandisement.”
October 19th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I can’t even talk about this sick slim that pretens to be human, if I would have been there i would of ended up in jail & happy to be there. There is a hell waiting for him.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Who is the gallery owner who allowed this? His name should be made known so artists with compassion can shun him…
October 19th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
good point, Mikken. everybody associated with this incident should be shunned.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
This makes me sick to my stomach. If you want more information on the galleries and the sick, demented murderer, and you can bear to look at the horrific photos, click on the sources at the end of the story. I really kind of wish I hadn’t looked.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
This is in the same realm as the so-called art student in Canada who videotaped a cat being skinned alive a couple of years ago. As far as I know, nothing ever happened to him. Does anyone else know?
October 19th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
the more I know people, the better I like my dog…
October 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
The incident happened in HONDURAS! The sick f _ _ k who thinks he’s an artist is from Costa Rica. Costa Rica has wonderful humane people there looking out for animals, and sicko will pay a price if they are able to have him prosecuted. A shelter in Heredia spays and neuters 40-50 animals per day. Go to animalsheltercostarica.com. While egregious cruelty occurs there as well as everywhere else (especially the U.S.!) you will be disabused of any notion that most of the people there don’t care! Nothing could be further from the truth. If Bush and his band of criminals aren’t impeached soon, I’m going to move to Costa Rica!
October 19th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Animal Lover says:
The sick f _ _ k who thinks he’s an artist is from Costa Rica.
I couldnt have worded it better myself. May he rott in h_ _ L!
October 19th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Animal Lover - Actually, the dog was starved to death in Nicaragua. The freak has been chosen to represent Costa Rica in an exhibition in (honoring?) Honduras. But hey, after reading your last sentence, we figure that is probably close enough for you.
October 19th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Well said twice Anonymous. Even the lowest of the low can call themselves “Artists” and people watch and listen. I WOULD HAVE CHARGED INTO THE EXHIBIT AND STOLEN THE POOR BABY DOG. Let them even try to arrest me. I’m so sick and tired of people getting little or no punishment for animal abuse. I just cannot understand it.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
I didn’t think could have taken place on Costa Rica. They are way ahead of other LA countries when it comes to pets. But - even in the case of Nicaraugua, you don’t condemn a whole nation because of one nutjob. Who would have gone to see this exhibition but other black clothes wearing oh so trendy artist wannabees?
Did you know that a number of years ago there was an art display called “Piss Christ” which consisted of a crucifx in a glass of urine. It toured major museums all over the US. I’m not a Christian, and I consider it extremely offensive and disrespectful. So no, I didn’t go see the exhibit.
I would hate to think that the rest of the world would judge us on this piece of so called art.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
and i thought no one would be able to work blame of george bush into this one…
fascinating.
i bet darth cheney had something to do with that whole ellen dognapping. the bastards.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Jesse Power was the Toronto “artist” involved in the cat killing. He got 90 days to be served on weekends. Then a movie was made “Casuistry, the art of killing a cat” that was featured in the Toronto Film Festival. The whole thing was so sick.
http://www.ontariospca.ca/pres.....apr18.html
October 19th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Jesse Power in Toronto–that’s right. What type of sickos are we creating in the world?
Mittens — I agree with you. Please let’s not make this a Bush-bash. Why does everything have to be political?
The blame is with the sick, twisted so-called “artist,” plain and simple.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Care2 petition in English: http://www.thepetitionsite.com.....g-is-Wrong
Sign it!
October 19th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I’ve visited Costa Rica and always thought it was one of the most progressive Central American nations. Now I couldn’t go back there.
October 20th, 2007 at 12:08 am
He is not an artist, he is a sadist. That bastard has no heart! He should be banned from any exhibits.
October 20th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Radcliffe, Allie, et al. I stand corrected. You are absolutely right that the atrocity occurred in Nicaragua. Must have had a brainfart for a minute. OTOH, these godforsaken countries are so much alike that it’s hard to tell one from another! Regardless, this pathetic excuse for a human, and even more pathetic excuse for an artist, needs to be prosecuted — thrown in the worst jail available, and be deprived of food and water until he dies! No punishment is severe enough for him.
October 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
That is not art. That is disgusting and downright wrong!!! Poor dog didn’t deserve that. Heck….NO DOG DESERVES THAT!!!!!
October 21st, 2007 at 5:28 am
This is not an artist but a demon. What he did is not art but pure evil.
God has a special place for this demon. And as for his comment about a starving dog on the street, hey how many of you feed strays? I know I do, I also have feral cats I take care of. How dare he speak for us. God MIGHT forgive him, but I will never forgive him, I can’t get that poor little soul out of my head. I pray this demon of a human be punished. God forgives, animal activists don’t.
October 21st, 2007 at 10:33 am
He could have poignantly conveyed his view point with photographs or other creative medium not involving the tortures of any breathing living being. What an ineptness of an artist and a pathetic excuse of supposedly intelligent human!
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:48 am
Just as an FYI, he is coming to Miami in March 2008 here in the US at the Miami Convention Center. Sponsered by Merrill Lynch. Link below.
http://www.arteamericasmiami.c.....amp;id=114
And I strongly recommend signing the petition!! The link to the petitiion is: http://www.petitiononline.com/.....-sign.html
Name
Email
City/Locality
I think the last one may mean country, but I put comments in there instead and put my country in with City/Locality
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:52 am
Okay, that link did not come through very well. Let’s try it again:
http://www.arteamericasmiami.c.....amp;id=114
http://www.arteamericasmiami.c.....amp;id=114
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:56 am
Okay, that link did not come through very well. Let’s try it again:
http://www.arteamericasmiami.c.....amp;id=114
Well, apparently, when this is printed, it still takes you to the right place even if it looks wrong.
This scumbag has a myspace webpage as well, so check that out and direct your comments to him/it directly!!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
i strongly urge you to sign the petition. there are only 50,000 sigs so far so spread the word to your freinds and your local news
http://www.petitiononline.com/.....ition.html
People world wide are drafting letters to the gallery for allowing this disgusting display and to let them know that the world is watching. Please take some time using the email provided below to let them know that murder is not art PERIOD.
GALLERY:
Centro Nacional de la Cultura
Antigua Fábrica Nacional de Licores.
Avenida 3, calle 15/17. San José, Costa Rica.
Teléfono: (506) 257 7202 / 257 9370 Fax: (506) 257 8702
> > Email Address:
info@madc.ac.cr
Ever been harassed on myspace? Now its this assholes turn.
KILLERS MYSPACE PAGE
http://www.myspace.com/casitadetentaciones
October 25th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
hope he saw the movie - Saw
Cause,
thats what the artist gets when he visits my country :-(
October 25th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
He is a criminal not an artist.
I signed the petition.
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:34 pm
That is one SICK F—K!! He should have the same treatment given to him!
December 6th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Would love to see a contract killing on those f–king artist punks! People who kill animals should be lined up and shot!!! RIP poor dog. No more pain but peace for you. Justice for that poor dog and the cat murdered in Canada!
December 6th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Also justice for that poor cat murdered in Canada by that little snot nose artist wannabe f–k who needs nothing but torture from animal lovers like myself and see if he likes being skinned alive! Thoughts and love are with you little cat and be at peace without anymore pain. :-(
March 8th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
MI COMENTARIO SOBRE LO QUE HE VISTO DE ESTE PERRITO,ME DEJA MUY MAL, YA KE NO PUEDO ENTENDER COMO PUEDE EXISTIR GENTE COMO ESTA Y MAS ENCIMA K LLAMEN A ESTO “ARTE” YO NO VEO ARTE LO KE VEO ES UN ASESINATO A UN SER INDEFENSO QUE LAMENTABLEMENTE MUCHA GENTE NO LO VE ASI, ENCUENTRO K ESTO ES IGNORANCIA , ACASO KIEN ES ESA PERSONA,ESE “”ARTISTA” K ALGUNOS LLAMAN ,ESTO NO PUEDE SEGIR SUSEDIENDO Y K TANTA GENTE PRESENCIO ESTO Y NO HIZO NADA ,YO SE K ALGUN DIA ESTE HOMBRE PAGARA POR LO K HIZO.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Ese tipo es estupido? Eso NO ES ARTE! En que cabeza entra?? En realidad el esta enfermo de la cabeza, pero peor los de la bienal que festejan el producto de su mente enferma! Ellos creo que estan peores que el! La verdad que es lamentable! Tendrian qe atarlo a el a ver si le gusta y que todos lo vean morir mientras que podrian estar ayudandolo, la verdad qe el ser humano cada dia me defrauda mas! Es LAMENTABLE!
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 am
Son disenadora publicitaria y hoy me da verguenza decir que vivo en este pais, que permite este tipo de atrosidades, como podemos llamar a esto arte y como los canales nacionales permiten hacerle publicidad a estos hechos y no lo hacen como una forma para que las personas realmente hagan conciencia y ayudemos de alguna manera a que esto se detenga. Hace poco sucedio algo con un diario nacinal el cual no voy a mencionar, porque desde ese dia hasta hoy me prometi no volver a saber nada de ese diario donde se gozaron de hacerle dano a los animales, yo prometi nunca mas ver ese periodico ni su canal de television y a toda las personas que estan al lado mio decirles lo que hicieron para que hagan lo mismo, a nosotros que si nos gustan los animales, debemos hacer algo para detener esto, aunque nuestos actos sean pequenos lo importante es hacer algo y que todas esta personas pague por todo el dano que hacen.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I feel so pathetic there are such inhuman people around the world… It’s just so sad and terrifying. Is humanity to be practiced only towards humans? Such people should just drop off the planet. Poor little dog. There are so many other animals out there suffering cruelty at the hands of merciless people. It really feels so miserable.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:08 am
this is complete torture and is so sick!