Torts as art medium

Toddrickfl1

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You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but there's absolutely nothing cruel about it. Have you read up on this or just basing your opinion on a photograph? And since this is your opinion, do insects not rate?
Happy birthday!
 

TammyJ

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Happy Birthday to you Chasen.

I don't know how to feel about the art. It seems rather creepy. I will check out this guy.
 

Ray--Opo

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I love the artwork but I still have a knot in my stomach :oops:
 

puffinboots

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You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but there's absolutely nothing cruel about it. Have you read up on this or just basing your opinion on a photograph? And since this is your opinion, do insects not rate?
 

puffinboots

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I think you can euthanize insects right? But my torts are special & not plentiful in my part of the world . What did you do with those baby ones? Did they die from natural causes?
You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but there's absolutely nothing cruel about it. Have you read up on this or just basing your opinion on a photograph? And since this is your opinion, do insects not rate?
b
 

Ciri

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I did just that! It certainly doesn't seem like someone associated with this would harm an animal.

I also googled the artist. This is what was said about him and his book.

About the author (2015)

Christopher Marley is an artist and designer who uses natural artifacts as his medium of expression. To create this work, he collects specimens in an environmentally responsible manner from a worldwide network of people who share his passion for nature. His popular first book, Pheromone (2008), focused on his artwork with insects. He lives and works in Oregon.

Chasen, thanks for posting this. I had never heard the term before.
I take this to mean no endangered species are collected:
"collects specimens in an environmentally responsible manner"
But not that they are humanely treated. I never agree with art created at the expense of a living creature.

If this were dogs or cats there would be protest in the streets. These are intelligent creatures who live long lives and deserve respect. This fad was started when an artist put animals in formaldehyde and sold them as art. He also sold a jewel encrusted human skull at auction for $1 million. He is famous now. It's disgusting.

I'm an artist with a BFA and MA in fine art. This is not what art should be. And like all fads this too shall pass.
 

Yvonne G

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I've seen ads where artists are asking for people to send their dead animals. I'm sure that's what this artist means by environmentally responsible.
 

Ciri

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I've seen ads where artists are asking for people to send their dead animals. I'm sure that's what this artist means by environmentally responsible.
Good. Thanks!
 

SweetGreekTorts

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Is it just me or are there a LOT of baby sulcatas?
Sadly you're right. Sulcatas, in my opinion, are overbred and I always see 10x more of them at reptile shows than any other species of tortoise (at least here in Arizona). Too many inexperienced people buy the hatchlings, cannot care properly for them, and they die. And there's always hundreds more out there for sale.
 

puffinboots

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Seeing the trouble many of us go to to keep these little creatures alive, it’s disconcerting to see them pinned to a board.Did they die a natural death or were they euthanized? Maybe where you live the place is overpopulated with tortoises. Where I am just one little life saved is a triumph.
 

Chasen

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Seeing the trouble many of us go to to keep these little creatures alive, it’s disconcerting to see them pinned to a board.Did they die a natural death or were they euthanized? Maybe where you live the place is overpopulated with tortoises. Where I am just one little life saved is a triumph.
Read the section on reclamation https://christophermarley.com/conservation/
 

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