Animal Rights Activists Stole Starving Piglets From An Art Exhibition in Denmark
Three piglets that were being intentionally starved as part of a controversial art exhibition in Denmark have been stolen, the artist behind the installation revealed on Wednesday.
Chilean-born artist Marco Evaristti said the exhibition aimed to highlight the suffering caused by mass meat production, sparking international outrage. The piglets, named Lucia, Simon, and Benjamin, were confined in a makeshift cage and denied food and water.
Artist Reports Theft, Then Embraces It
Evaristti initially reported the piglets stolen on Saturday, forcing him to shut down the exhibition in Copenhagen. However, he later discovered that his own friend, Caspar Steffensen, had helped facilitate the act alongside animal rights activists.
“I was disappointed when Caspar admitted his role in the theft,” Evaristti said. “But after thinking it over, I realized that at least this way, the piglets would have a happy life.”
Danish police have since confirmed that they are investigating the removal of the piglets from the exhibition.
Controversial Exhibit Sparks Global Outrage
Evaristti’s installation, titled “And Now You Care,” involved placing the piglets in a cage made of shopping carts to mimic conditions in industrial farming. He claimed the exhibit was meant to expose the cruelty of modern pig production.
According to Animal Protection Denmark, Danish pig farms breed sows to produce 20 piglets per litter, even though a mother pig only has 14 teats, leaving many piglets to starve to death.
Despite the artist’s intentions, the exhibition faced backlash from multiple animal rights groups, who argued that raising awareness should not come at the expense of animal suffering.
Activist Steps In After Daughter’s Plea
Steffensen, who helped the activists steal the piglets, revealed that his 10-year-old daughter begged him to save them.
“She told me, ‘Make sure the piggies won’t die,’” Steffensen said. “So when an activist asked me to help, I let them into the gallery in secret.”
The animal advocacy group De Glemte Danske later claimed responsibility for the rescue, exposing the secret operation.
Artist Plans New Provocative Installations
Despite the controversy, Evaristti has no plans to back down. He is now considering stealing dead piglets from meat processing plants for display or auctioning off live piglets to the highest bidder who guarantees them a good life.
“I received hate messages from around the world, but people don’t seem to understand that my art is about animal rights,” he defended.
While the fate of the rescued piglets remains unknown, the incident has reignited global debates on the ethics of using live animals in art.
Source: ABC