I figured if I put it behind an lj-cut, people wouldn't look at it. And it needs to be seen. It's not like it has gore or anything, it just evokes terrible sadness/anger.

Unless you're the 'artist' who's using this poor starved dog as an art exhibit.

There's a big kerfluffle going on in one of the writing communities I'm in. Someone wrote a piece inspired by the picture, from different viewpoints of people in the room, and finally the dog itself. However, the squabble ensued because they didn't put it under an lj-cut (because of the image and length), and whether or not it was suitable/appropriate for the community. Petty, but I suppose valid since the community does have rules.. but they missed the point entirely of the content itself. I honestly wasn't a fan of the piece of work that came attached to this picture, but felt the need to do SOMETHING about this, or at least say my piece.

The 'artist'  Guillermo Vargas took the starving dog off the street and tied it on a leash to use as an exhibit. Apparently the irony and hipocrisy of people that would come to look at a dog that they would normally ignore if they passed it by on the street is 'art'. From there the stories vary. Some say the dog was chased, further starved, and died during the exhibit. Others say it was cared for, but not attended while on the exhibit to give the impression that it was indeed starving, and that it escaped.

Now, I'm not usually one to get on my soapbox or yell about chickens not being nuggets. But if this guy is allowed to continue, where does it stop? Is he going to get some orphan and put them on display, because it's ironic that their parents were both artists? What about someone who was blind and had been mislead so that they didn't even know they were on exhibit? Would that be good artwork?

My point is: yes, it's sad if the dog really was starved and really did die - but even if the man did take care of it, how is this art.. tying up a dog in a room of people that are ignoring it, watching it suffer? What happened to art being something you made with your own hands, using a brush or a pen or lump of clay or stone?

Even if all the press isn't true, the basis is bad enough.

At least the people taking pictures of hobos on the streets don't give them false hope.

"We are aware of this story and have asked our contacts in Central America for more information. According to local animal welfare organizations, the dog was in a state of starvation when he was captured from the street for display in the exhibit. We have also been informed that the dog spent one day in the exhibit and later escaped the gallery. We do not condone the actions of this so-called "artist," and condemn the use of live animals in exhibits such as this. An animal welfare organization in Honduras, where the next art show will be held, is keeping close watch on the case and assures us that the artist will not repeat his objectionable exhibit."
-US Human Society International.

Good
Articles:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/vargas.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillermo_Habacuc_Vargas (wikipedia isn't credible. But the article links to pertaining credible sources)
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=214619&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31026

Petitions against the artist:
I believe it's the same one, just in different languages. Also, I'm not aware as to how online petitions work, or if they have any validity or not.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ea6gk/
http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/

I should've turned this into a formal essay. My thoughts are all jumbled.