A New Low in "Art" *UPDATE* Hoax

Over the past 20 or 30 years we've seen all sorts of new lows established by people who claim their projects are "art", however we may have finally hit bottom with this one (caution, this is not pleasant to read):

Art major Aliza Shvarts (Yale) '08 wants to make a statement.

Beginning next Tuesday, Shvarts will be displaying her senior art project, a documentation of a nine-month process during which she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process.

The goal in creating the art exhibition, Shvarts said, was to spark conversation and debate on the relationship between art and the human body. But her project has already provoked more than just debate, inciting, for instance, outcry at a forum for fellow senior art majors held last week. And when told about Shvarts' project, students on both ends of the abortion debate have expressed shock saying the project does everything from violate moral code to trivialize abortion.

But Shvarts insists her concept was not designed for "shock value."

"I hope it inspires some sort of discourse," Shvarts said. "Sure, some people will be upset with the message and will not agree with it, but it's not the intention of the piece to scandalize anyone."

The "fabricators," or donors, of the sperm were not paid for their services, but Shvarts required them to periodically take tests for sexually transmitted diseases. She said she was not concerned about any medical effects the forced miscarriages may have had on her body. The abortifacient drugs she took were legal and herbal, she said, and she did not feel the need to consult a doctor about her repeated miscarriages.

If there is any justice, the day will come when she will desperately want children of her own but will be unable to have them. And of course, since Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and most oher Dems (and many Republicans) support "choice", I'm sure they won't have any problem with this little project at all. I'd sure love to hear somebody ask them about it.

UPDATE: It looks like the Yale Daily News was hoaxed.