Abortion = Art? Okay... what?
- Thread starter blindpassion
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blindpassion
Well-known member
Here is a more indepth article for all of you... it gives some more details and hits on some more important points. I bloded one part that I thought was very true.
Source: FOXNews.com - Yale Art Student Claims She Used Blood Samples, Video of Self-Induced Abortions for Senior Project - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
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Source: FOXNews.com - Yale Art Student Claims She Used Blood Samples, Video of Self-Induced Abortions for Senior Project - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
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| A Yale student who claims she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" and then took drugs to induce miscarriages for her senior art project says she will showcase the stomach-turning display next week — complete with her own blood samples and videos from the terminated possible pregnancies. The story of art major Aliza Shvarts' upcoming exhibit, which the Yale Daily News broke Thursday, has sparked widespread disgust and outrage. "It’s clearly depraved. I think the poor woman has got some major mental problems," said National Right to Life Committee President Wanda Franz. "She’s a serial killer. This is just a horrible thought." Critics on campus have said the display sounds like a shock-and-awe look at the highly sensitive issue of abortion and called it a sick stunt to get attention. The abortion-rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America also condemned the exhibit. "This 'project' is offensive and insensitive to the women who have suffered the heartbreak of miscarriage," said NARAL's communication director Ted Miller in a statement. But Shvarts said the goal of the project is to encourage debate and discussion about the connection between art and the human body. /**/ "I hope it inspires some sort of discourse," Shvarts, whose age was withheld, told Yale's newspaper. "Sure, some people will be upset with the message and will not agree with it, but it's not the intention of the piece to scandalize anyone." The senior's campus phone has been disconnected, and she did not respond to e-mailed requests for an interview. Yale University also didn't return calls seeking comment. Shvarts told the school paper that her sperm donors, whom she declined to identify, were not paid for their participation but added that she did require them to be screened for STDs. The drugs she took to induce contractions and miscarriages were legal and herbal in nature, according to Shvarts — who didn't specify what they were. The art major insisted she wasn't concerned about the effects of her research on her own body. But ob-gyn Dr. Manuel Alvarez, FOXNews.com's health managing editor, said the young woman should have been worried because what she was doing was extremely unsafe. "It’s quite dangerous," Alvarez said. "She was playing Russian roulette with her life, if she indeed did this to these unborn children for the sake of art. I don’t even have the words to express the disbelief that I have." Alvarez said herbal remedies to trigger uterine contractions have long been used in countries where abortions are illegal — including certain raspberry teas and strong cinnamon teas — but they are far from consistently effective, and they tend to be risky. "They interfere with pregnancy and are either toxic to the fetus or cause contractions," he explained. "The reason they are effective is that they create side effects, but none of them are 100 percent prescriptive to be abortive." Shvarts wouldn't say how many times she was artificially inseminated and actually got pregnant for the project — which she described to the Yale paper as a huge cube hanging from the ceiling and swathed in plastic sheeting smeared with her blood from the reported miscarriages. The existence and number of pregnancies Shvarts may have had weren't independently confirmed. Videos taken of what the college student says were self-induced abortions in her bathtub will be projected both on the cube's sides and on the gallery walls. The exhibit will be on public display from April 22 to May 1 at Yale's Holcombe T. Green Jr. Hall. Shvarts will be honored at a reception April 25. Franz likened Shvarts' process of artificial insemination and induced miscarriages to the human experimentation that took place during the Holocaust. She said the Yale senior's work highlights a stark truth about American society's approach to abortion. "She really has hit on a reality that what she has done is legal," Franz said. "Anything she chooses to do here can’t be stopped in terms of legality. And there are people fighting for her right to do this." Alvarez believes such an endeavor in the name of art is offensive, harmful and insensitive, especially to women who face difficult choices about pregnancy or who aren't able to conceive. "Anybody who trivializes a woman’s choice to terminate a pregnancy is really not contributing anything positive to these matters," he said. "I don’t see anything artistic about this. ... It’s completely unethical and immoral. What have we accomplished? Absolutely nothing." |
purrtykitty
Well-known member
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It really saddens me to think of all those women out there who are unable to concieve. She got pregnant a number of times only to terminate for the sake of "art". What's worse is that it does trivialize the heart-wrenching decision that is abortion. She, again, got pregnant a number of times and just willy-nilly terminated. It's just not right. If she did it to bring light to abortion, then all she did is make it look like it's just used for self-serving purposes.
Originally Posted by Girl about town
Um its one thing finding yourself pregnant and not going through with it!!! its a completely different thing to artificially inseminate yourself to become pregnant knowing you will abort the baby for an attention seeking art project, its so cold!!! |
It really saddens me to think of all those women out there who are unable to concieve. She got pregnant a number of times only to terminate for the sake of "art". What's worse is that it does trivialize the heart-wrenching decision that is abortion. She, again, got pregnant a number of times and just willy-nilly terminated. It's just not right. If she did it to bring light to abortion, then all she did is make it look like it's just used for self-serving purposes.
benzito_714
Well-known member
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Whoa...I understand the distaste and disgust that many of us have regarding this display but it is the artist's display. Why she chose to do this to her body for the sake of a class project I don't know. I would like to so maybe I can wrap my mind around it but nevertheless I have two conflicting opinions. My appreciation for her ability to express her art and my disgust that she would take her body and and the life inside for granted.
Whether or not you believe its art or that she's just indulging herself is your opinion. Artists and those claiming to be artists do crazy things to stir controversy and create dialogue without giving a damn whether or not we think its art. We, the audience, choose to subscribe to it and we choose to discuss it.
By the way I will pass on the dogdoo.
| Originally Posted by athena123
Oh yes, we can. And I do. This isn't art. Shock value for the sake of shock value is not art. What talent and thought went behind that? OK, do you want art? I'll collect my dog's manure, pile it up on a nice china plate and display it as art. Does that mean it's art, or am I just indulging myself? You decide. As the artist, I could proclaim my display of dogdoo is art. As the observer, I'll claim it's bullsh!t and I'll be right. |
Whoa...I understand the distaste and disgust that many of us have regarding this display but it is the artist's display. Why she chose to do this to her body for the sake of a class project I don't know. I would like to so maybe I can wrap my mind around it but nevertheless I have two conflicting opinions. My appreciation for her ability to express her art and my disgust that she would take her body and and the life inside for granted.
Whether or not you believe its art or that she's just indulging herself is your opinion. Artists and those claiming to be artists do crazy things to stir controversy and create dialogue without giving a damn whether or not we think its art. We, the audience, choose to subscribe to it and we choose to discuss it.
By the way I will pass on the dogdoo.
M.A.C. head.
Well-known member
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Agreed.
| Originally Posted by purrtykitty
I feel abortion is an immensely private matter. Even if you choose to discuss it, for heaven's sake...DON'T DISPLAY IT!! That's just sickening. |
Agreed.
athena123
Well-known member
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You contradict yourself benzito. You claim that although you are disgusted with her project, you'll still call it art? And yet my doggydoodisplay isn't art? But I'm the artist, it's art if I say so, isn't it?
Sorry, darling. I'll call art as I see it. Her self-indulgence isn't art. I'm curious, have you discussed THIS in your art class?
BTW, I AM an artist. Amateur, not a professional and displays like this are an insult to those who actually CREATE. Do you call this creation?
The fine print: Benzito, I by no means intend to insult you, as a person, since I don't know you. But I do go on record as disagreeing very strongly with your POV. This statement will probably offend some. I'm very sorry but I don't try to couch all my words in politically correct non-speak just to avoid offending delicate ears.
| Originally Posted by benzito_714
Whoa...I understand the distaste and disgust that many of us have regarding this display but it is the artist's display. Why she chose to do this to her body for the sake of a class project I don't know. I would like to so maybe I can wrap my mind around it but nevertheless I have two conflicting opinions. My appreciation for her ability to express her art and my disgust that she would take her body and and the life inside for granted. Whether or not you believe its art or that she's just indulging herself is your opinion. Artists and those claiming to be artists do crazy things to stir controversy and create dialogue without giving a damn whether or not we think its art. We, the audience, choose to subscribe to it and we choose to discuss it. By the way I will pass on the dogdoo. |
You contradict yourself benzito. You claim that although you are disgusted with her project, you'll still call it art? And yet my doggydoodisplay isn't art? But I'm the artist, it's art if I say so, isn't it?
Sorry, darling. I'll call art as I see it. Her self-indulgence isn't art. I'm curious, have you discussed THIS in your art class?
BTW, I AM an artist. Amateur, not a professional and displays like this are an insult to those who actually CREATE. Do you call this creation?
The fine print: Benzito, I by no means intend to insult you, as a person, since I don't know you. But I do go on record as disagreeing very strongly with your POV. This statement will probably offend some. I'm very sorry but I don't try to couch all my words in politically correct non-speak just to avoid offending delicate ears.
benzito_714
Well-known member
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Not a contradiction at all. I can disagree with her harming herself and the unborn child/fetus and still stand that she is creating art on her terms-the same as your dogdoo. I just chose to pass on it as I do her miscarriage display.
No I did not discuss this in my art class as I have graduated, however, I did send this to three of my past professors and am told that they are investigating whether or not this is a hoax.
You do not offend me because this is not my personal display and it is perfectly ok that we disagree.
| Originally Posted by athena123
You contradict yourself benzito. You claim that although you are disgusted with her project, you'll still call it art? And yet my doggydoodisplay isn't art? But I'm the artist, it's art if I say so, isn't it? Sorry, darling. I'll call art as I see it. Her self-indulgence isn't art. I'm curious, have you discussed THIS in your art class? BTW, I AM an artist. Amateur, not a professional and displays like this are an insult to those who actually CREATE. Do you call this creation? The fine print: Benzito, I by no means intend to insult you, as a person, since I don't know you. But I do go on record as disagreeing very strongly with your POV. This statement will probably offend some. I'm very sorry but I don't try to couch all my words in politically correct non-speak just to avoid offending delicate ears. |
Not a contradiction at all. I can disagree with her harming herself and the unborn child/fetus and still stand that she is creating art on her terms-the same as your dogdoo. I just chose to pass on it as I do her miscarriage display.
No I did not discuss this in my art class as I have graduated, however, I did send this to three of my past professors and am told that they are investigating whether or not this is a hoax.
You do not offend me because this is not my personal display and it is perfectly ok that we disagree.
xbrookecorex
Well-known member
I'm fine with abortion, but I'm not fine with multiple, intentional abortions...
That's like going out and buying pets just to kill them.
That's like going out and buying pets just to kill them.
Beauty Mark
Well-known member
While I understand that art isn't always beautiful paintings and is offensive at times, wtf was the point of this? How is this not for shock value? I hate to sound cold, but I'm not that concerned about offending people who can't conceive; women who have abortions for more valid reasons than "art" already offend some people who cannot conceive.
I think it's stupid. She's probably fucked up her health and ruined any chances of her conceiving. I also feel like she's made light of having an abortion. Although I have not had an abortion yet (thank God) and support the right to choose 100%, I also know it's a serious decision. One of my friends had one and the sheer chemical change, from what I understand, is dramatic, let alone what you believe spiritually and mentally about the fetus.
I think it's stupid. She's probably fucked up her health and ruined any chances of her conceiving. I also feel like she's made light of having an abortion. Although I have not had an abortion yet (thank God) and support the right to choose 100%, I also know it's a serious decision. One of my friends had one and the sheer chemical change, from what I understand, is dramatic, let alone what you believe spiritually and mentally about the fetus.
blindpassion
Well-known member
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Yale itself has publicized this display,
I doubt a credible university such as itself would publicize an exhibit unless it was credible, and even if it wasn't... it's still just as shocking that she'd make this horrible thing up. According to Yale there will be video at the exhibit showing... well, who knows, something horrid.
| Originally Posted by benzito_714
Not a contradiction at all. I can disagree with her harming herself and the unborn child/fetus and still stand that she is creating art on her terms-the same as your dogdoo. I just chose to pass on it as I do her miscarriage display. No I did not discuss this in my art class as I have graduated, however, I did send this to three of my past professors and am told that they are investigating whether or not this is a hoax. You do not offend me because this is not my personal display and it is perfectly ok that we disagree. |
Yale itself has publicized this display,
I doubt a credible university such as itself would publicize an exhibit unless it was credible, and even if it wasn't... it's still just as shocking that she'd make this horrible thing up. According to Yale there will be video at the exhibit showing... well, who knows, something horrid.
xbrookecorex
Well-known member
And the people who go see the starving dogs aren't into art, they're into sadism.
esmeralda89
Well-known member
what a sick whore, abortion should be a private matter, not done a million times, and not used as art, its like killing lots of people and proudly saying "look i killed all these people and its beautiful art!!"
athena123
Well-known member
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I don't care what her intentions were, I really don't. The ends do NOT justify the means. Whatever point she's trying to make it could have been done some other way.
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The very act is a mockery. Either she's mocking those who have made very painful decision to terminate a pregnancy, or she's mocking people who would do ANYTHING to conceive. And this certainly doesn't help rape victims either.
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I know life isn't sunshine and it's not always pretty, but spending your time focusing on such a gruesome task is hardly exalting, is it? After I read the news and realize the ugliness, then I prefer to focus on the beauty around me. It keeps me sane.
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I too have a pretty open mind, but it's not so open my brains are gonna fall out, nor does my open mind mean any lack of conviction. Some things are just wrong, and for me, the process of achieving an end result is sometimes even more important than the result itself. I'm just not an "ends justifies the means" woman and I never will be. That rationale has been used to justify some pretty horrible things.
kat, please don't think that because I'm stating MY disagreement equates "flaming" you. I'm simply not gonna agree with you on this.
| Originally Posted by k.a.t
I see what you're saying but we don't really know what her exact intensions were... I'm very open-minded and i like to really think things through when i see something that shocks me - i start to ask myself questions... |
I don't care what her intentions were, I really don't. The ends do NOT justify the means. Whatever point she's trying to make it could have been done some other way.
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| Originally Posted by k.a.t
Who said she's making a mockery out of girls who have gone through this? Maybe her intensions were to raise awareness of, for example rape victims and what they have to go through - many of them choosing abortion.. |
The very act is a mockery. Either she's mocking those who have made very painful decision to terminate a pregnancy, or she's mocking people who would do ANYTHING to conceive. And this certainly doesn't help rape victims either.
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| Originally Posted by k.a.t
Sometimes people need to see something as outrageous as this to realize the reality of life and the world around them...life isn't all sunshine and rainbows i'm afraid. |
I know life isn't sunshine and it's not always pretty, but spending your time focusing on such a gruesome task is hardly exalting, is it? After I read the news and realize the ugliness, then I prefer to focus on the beauty around me. It keeps me sane.
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| Originally Posted by k.a.t
I just wanna keep an open mind and *hope* she's not some psycho, but rather an expressive individual who thought this might be a good idea to convey some kind of message....perhaps it wasn't a good idea to do it this way i dunno 
And please don't all go flaming me cause i'm just stating my opinion
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I too have a pretty open mind, but it's not so open my brains are gonna fall out, nor does my open mind mean any lack of conviction. Some things are just wrong, and for me, the process of achieving an end result is sometimes even more important than the result itself. I'm just not an "ends justifies the means" woman and I never will be. That rationale has been used to justify some pretty horrible things.
kat, please don't think that because I'm stating MY disagreement equates "flaming" you. I'm simply not gonna agree with you on this.
Beauty Mark
Well-known member
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I don't agree necessarily that abortion should be a private matter. I think that if you have a good intention for discussing it (like letting women know that it can be a good decision ultimately or being frank about why you would choose to have one or why it's a bad idea even), I don't have a problem with you necessarily making it public in some context
| Originally Posted by esmeralda89
what a sick whore, abortion should be a private matter, not done a million times, and not used as art, its like killing lots of people and proudly saying "look i killed all these people and its beautiful art!!"
|
I don't agree necessarily that abortion should be a private matter. I think that if you have a good intention for discussing it (like letting women know that it can be a good decision ultimately or being frank about why you would choose to have one or why it's a bad idea even), I don't have a problem with you necessarily making it public in some context
athena123
Well-known member
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But discussing it publicly should ALSO be a choice. Just as terminating a pregnancy should be a choice, or those who are gay and don't want to come out of the closet. It should be THEIR choice whether or not they do. It's about personal choice.
Crap like this stupid beeyotch make a mockery of personal freedom and choice. After all, look what she CHOSE to do. Yeah, great choice all right. I hope she flunks.
| Originally Posted by Beauty Mark
I don't agree necessarily that abortion should be a private matter. I think that if you have a good intention for discussing it (like letting women know that it can be a good decision ultimately or being frank about why you would choose to have one or why it's a bad idea even), I don't have a problem with you necessarily making it public in some context |
But discussing it publicly should ALSO be a choice. Just as terminating a pregnancy should be a choice, or those who are gay and don't want to come out of the closet. It should be THEIR choice whether or not they do. It's about personal choice.
Crap like this stupid beeyotch make a mockery of personal freedom and choice. After all, look what she CHOSE to do. Yeah, great choice all right. I hope she flunks.
flowerhead
Well-known member
i think it's interesting if macabre. i'd like to see it.
people get abortions all the time...really, what's the actual difference? because it's calculated? and as far as offending people with fertility problems...that doesn't move me. censoring is worse.
she isn't physically hurting anyone, only herself. & its not devaluing life or killing anyone, she didnt create life to begin with..
people get abortions all the time...really, what's the actual difference? because it's calculated? and as far as offending people with fertility problems...that doesn't move me. censoring is worse.
she isn't physically hurting anyone, only herself. & its not devaluing life or killing anyone, she didnt create life to begin with..
*Stargazer*
Well-known member
The fact that both NARAL and National Right to Life are both condemning this speaks volumes.
blindpassion
Well-known member
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Yes she did create life... she artificially inseminated herself and she created a life, of course it hadn't been born yet, but she impregnated herself multiple times just for the purpose of aborting her babies for the purpose of "art".
I am pro-abortion and pro-choice, but I am for "responsible abortion"... and in my eyes, abortion is completely warranted in ANY situation where it directly benefits the woman or her unborn child, for whatever reason she chooses... but not for "art".
| Originally Posted by flowerhead
i think it's interesting if macabre. i'd like to see it. people get abortions all the time...really, what's the actual difference? because it's calculated? and as far as offending people with fertility problems...that doesn't move me. censoring is worse. she isn't physically hurting anyone, only herself. & its not devaluing life or killing anyone, she didnt create life to begin with.. |
Yes she did create life... she artificially inseminated herself and she created a life, of course it hadn't been born yet, but she impregnated herself multiple times just for the purpose of aborting her babies for the purpose of "art".
I am pro-abortion and pro-choice, but I am for "responsible abortion"... and in my eyes, abortion is completely warranted in ANY situation where it directly benefits the woman or her unborn child, for whatever reason she chooses... but not for "art".
Beauty Mark
Well-known member
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That's my point. I just don't believe saying abortion is a private matter is a great blanket statement. My friend probably will never speak out in public about her abortion; I think that's fine and I can totally understand why. I just don't want to say abortion should always be a private matter; if I want to let people know that I had an abortion, it is my decision. She chose to make her abortions public.
I hate to say it, but I ultimately do support her choice to discuss her abortions, create her art, etc. I also support people who are racist, as long as what they do is within legal confines.
I highly question it, find it offensive, and I find it dangerous to the pro-choice movement, since it makes it look like it's a light-hearted decision to have an abortion. For most people, it is not.
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The calculation part is a huge red flag to me. I can't think of a soul who intentionally gets pregnant to just have an abortion. Even if you feel it is the right thing for you and your child, it's still not something fun. There is something masochist to it, and it is factually unhealthy to have that many abortion. I do question greatly, even as someone who fully intends to remain childfree, the sanity of someone who would put her body through that repeatedly.
| Originally Posted by athena123
But discussing it publicly should ALSO be a choice. Just as terminating a pregnancy should be a choice, or those who are gay and don't want to come out of the closet. It should be THEIR choice whether or not they do. It's about personal choice. Crap like this stupid beeyotch make a mockery of personal freedom and choice. After all, look what she CHOSE to do. Yeah, great choice all right. I hope she flunks. |
That's my point. I just don't believe saying abortion is a private matter is a great blanket statement. My friend probably will never speak out in public about her abortion; I think that's fine and I can totally understand why. I just don't want to say abortion should always be a private matter; if I want to let people know that I had an abortion, it is my decision. She chose to make her abortions public.
I hate to say it, but I ultimately do support her choice to discuss her abortions, create her art, etc. I also support people who are racist, as long as what they do is within legal confines.
I highly question it, find it offensive, and I find it dangerous to the pro-choice movement, since it makes it look like it's a light-hearted decision to have an abortion. For most people, it is not.
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| people get abortions all the time...really, what's the actual difference? because it's calculated? and as far as offending people with fertility problems...that doesn't move me. censoring is worse. she isn't physically hurting anyone, only herself. & its not devaluing life or killing anyone, she didnt create life to begin with.. |
The calculation part is a huge red flag to me. I can't think of a soul who intentionally gets pregnant to just have an abortion. Even if you feel it is the right thing for you and your child, it's still not something fun. There is something masochist to it, and it is factually unhealthy to have that many abortion. I do question greatly, even as someone who fully intends to remain childfree, the sanity of someone who would put her body through that repeatedly.
