A Measure of Happiness—The Use of Live Animals in Contemporary Art Installations

Abstract

The deployment of living creatures for the purposes of contemporary art installations can be controversial. The debate centres on the unsettling convergence of freedom of artistic expression and the rights of other non-human animals—two moral principles that have high social value. This paper examines the legislative and formalised frameworks in Australia that relate to the use and welfare of live animals on display in contemporary art presentations, with a particular focus on the display of live birds and a case study of the contemporary art installation, Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, from here to ear (vol. 13) 2010. Examples of recent contemporary art installations and presentations that use live animals and the subsequent public reactions and host organisation responses are used to illustrate this controversial artform. The paper contends that there is an imperative for host organisations to build defensible positions on the use of live animals in art, via ethical frameworks supported by research and due diligence, to ensure good animal welfare and care. This process also helps to clarify what could be considered justifiable use of live animals, demonstrating the ethics and moral value of artistic endeavours.