Last month, the Guggenheim was slated to show the piece ‘Dogs Who Cannot Touch Each Other,’ a video of a 2003 performance piece by Chinese artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, which featured eight American pit bulls trying to fight one another while restrained by harnesses. In response to complaints by animal rights activists and nearly a million signatures on a Change.org petition, the Guggenheim pulled the piece amidst “repeated threats of violence” and safety concerns.
This weekend, A Bar (597 Manhattan Ave) is playing host to a dog-themed art exhibit and charity event, organized by Biting Back NYC, which was founded by three local creative professionals. Proceeds from the show will be donated to Animal Haven Shelter.
From the organizers:
Biting Back is our response to how the Guggenheim handled the ‘Dogs Who Cannot Touch Each Other,’ video from the Art And China After 1989 exhibit. For those of you who aren’t aware of the piece, it demonstrates actual animal cruelty, and the Guggenheim considers it “art.”
Our goal with Biting Back is to express our own social message— one that displays only the love for animals NOT cruelty. Let’s spin this into a positive message, and raise money for animal charity with YOUR ART!
Biting Back: Art For A Good Paws
A-Bar | 597 Manhattan Ave
Friday, December 1st (opening reception) – 7pm-12am
Saturday, December 2nd – 1pm-6pm
Sunday, December 3rd – 1pm-5pm
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