An art exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark, titled “And Now You Care,” was abruptly shut down after three piglets were stolen by animal rights activists. The exhibition, created by Chilean-born artist Marco Evaristti, aimed to highlight animal welfare issues by showcasing the piglets in caged shopping carts in a former butcher’s warehouse. The theft occurred on March 4, 2025, just one day after the exhibition opened.
- Artist planned to starve piglets for awareness
- Piglets stolen by animal rights activists
- Exhibition aimed to highlight animal mistreatment
- Many piglets die daily on Danish farms
- Evaristti received backlash and hate mail
- Plans to revive exhibition with new piglets
Evaristti had intended to starve the piglets to death as part of his performance art, a plan that drew significant criticism from animal welfare organizations. Following the theft, Evaristti expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the piglets would now have a better life.
The exhibition aimed to raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals in Denmark, particularly in pig farming. Evaristti claimed that around 25,000 piglets die daily on Danish farms, many from starvation due to the overbreeding of sows. He had planned to go without food and water for five days while the piglets starved, a concept that sparked outrage among animal rights groups.
Key details regarding the situation include:
- The piglets were named Lucia, Simon, and Benjamin.
- Animal rights activists, with the help of Evaristti’s friend Caspar Steffensen, executed the theft.
- Steffensen’s daughter influenced his decision to assist in the piglets’ rescue.
In response to the incident, Evaristti has received a mix of criticism and support, including hate mail. He is considering reviving the exhibition with new piglets, potentially auctioning them to individuals who promise to provide a good life. The controversy surrounding this exhibition has sparked a broader conversation about animal welfare and ethical treatment in farming practices.
The theft of the piglets has shifted the focus from Evaristti’s controversial art concept to the ongoing concerns about animal welfare in farming. The incident underscores the complexities of using animals in art to provoke societal change.
