The Theft of Three Piglets from a Controversial Exhibition in Denmark

Three piglets that were supposed to starve to death during a controversial art exhibition were stolen from the venue in Denmark. Marco Evaristi, a Chilean artist residing in Denmark, announced on Wednesday, March 6, that he intended to use these three piglets in an 'art installation' aimed at raising awareness about the suffering of animals due to mass meat production, and to 'wake up' Danish society. The exhibition, titled 'Now You Care?', opened last Friday in an abandoned butcher shop in Copenhagen; the live piglets were displayed in two shopping carts trapped in a pile of straw. Large paintings of the Danish flag and slaughtered pigs were also hung on the walls of the abandoned butcher shop. The New York Times reported that the piglets were given water but no food, and it was expected they would survive for five days. Evaristi stated that he would also not eat or drink until the end of the exhibition. However, one day after the exhibition opened, the pigs disappeared. Evaristi said that on Saturday morning, members of an animal rights organization came to check on the piglets, and while the caretakers were cleaning the exhibition area and restrooms, a 'theft' occurred. A spokesperson for the Copenhagen police said they were informed of the theft on Saturday morning, but no one has been charged. Evaristi also announced that he and his family had received 'many threats' and did not expect the piglets to be returned. The 'Danish Animal Protection' group stated that in the pig farming industry in Denmark, female pigs are bred to produce about 20 piglets per litter; however, they only have 14 teats, which causes the piglets to compete for their mother's milk, leaving many hungry. Nevertheless, several animal rights groups expressed concern over Evaristi's exhibition, stating that while they welcome new initiatives to raise public awareness of animal suffering, they do not condone 'the abuse' of animals. The use of animals in Marco Evaristi's exhibitions has a history of criticism. In 2000, Evaristi displayed 10 goldfish in separate blenders in a museum in Denmark, allowing visitors to turn the machines on, which some did. Matthias Madsen, campaign director for 'Animal International' in Denmark, stated that the organization had reported Evaristi's exhibition to the police, claiming his actions 'violated several sections of animal protection law in Denmark.' Madsen's statement noted that the strong public reaction to this exhibition serves as a reminder that 'people find the suffering and pain of animals unacceptable.'