Assignment 5

List
-Taboos
- Repetition of Art
- PETA
- Context of the Art of Taxidermy
- Goes from Gallery full of "Art" to rehearsal dinners


This article seemed very confusing to me. I didn't really understand the purpose as to why this essay was written. Something that caught my attention was the taboo of an art that is looked down upon because it is solely used for personal gain and selfish reasons.  I personally believe that messing with the dead, let alone animals, is wrong in every way. The dead should just be left at piece no matter what. If people have absolutely nothing to do with their life, they should go read a book or something. Do not engage in preparing and creating dead sculptures and lifelike displays of the dead for money. How would these people feel if their bodies were disturbed afer death? Those committing such an act would probably will be haunted for their life. More so one will live in a paranoid state as a result of overwhelming guilt. I believe that Susan wants her readers to feel an appreciation for such an art that has and is continuing to grow in popularity in today's world of developing and contributing cultures. I think Orlean purposefully wrote the essay to allow us to see both sides of the story to such a controversial topic and new integration of the art of taxidermy.

Something that I noticed after reading Orleans essay "LifeLike" is the repitition of Taxidermy as Art and an act of clever and very lifelike artistry. Messing with the dead is essentially viewed as taboo or an act of the darkness. Nobody in their right mind, if they're sane, would ever think about doing such an act to  harm anything. Not all people of every culture adopt the same or similar values so it is possible to expect that such a controversial act would be seen as an act of great artistry. I guess what I am trying to express is that the main reason why most, if not all jobs or arts using dead animals, is to make a profit of some kind whether it's by monetary means or just notoriety. I think that his is the most gruesome thing that anyone can encur upon. If anyone was out of a job and had a last resort other than taxidermy, they should take the other route. For me personally, I believe that killing any animal and God forbid a human being is immoral in every aspect of the word. People should really begin to think about there actions and place themselves in the perspective of the animals.

Reading this article definitely made me upset and disgusted. It makes me just look at the people who do Taxidermy differently. It's just baffling and I can't even wrap my head around the idea of wanting to bring something dead back to life. It almost sounds as if this is an art of the dark side. The people who construct wha they percieve to be "works of art" do so like these animals are just puzzles put together piece by piece until the Taxidermists have reached their ultimate goal of being recognized for "creating" something that appears to be so real and lifelike. Looking from the perspective of the Taxidermists, engaging in and creating such lifelike pieces of ar allows us to appreciate nature and everything in it because without it, I world would never have developed into what it is today. Animals do play an important role in the growth of plants and the food chain which is essential to a flourishing life as well as the never ending life cycle.


Questions
1. What do you think Orlean's purpose was in using PETA in her article?

2. How do you feel about Taxidermy being referred to as an art in Orlean's article?