The
575 Project
Artist’s Statement
Last year between four and five million unwanted pets were
put to death in U.S. shelters. Five million would be 13,800
every day, 575 dogs and cats killed every hour. The 575
Project is a memorial to these unwanted pets.
Physical objects can become emotionally "charged"
and trigger forgotten feelings. The materials I used in
creating the 575 Project are things ordinarily associated
with dogs and cats like collars, tags and pet food cans.
I collected 575 of each object and created a piece of art
from each collection. Many of these objects were collected
from animal shelters around the country and have a direct
and tangible connection to animals that have been destroyed.
Using traditional mediums of drawing, painting, assemblage
and ceramics, as well as performance, The 575 Project gives
form to the idea that euthanasia is not an acceptable solution
to the overpopulation of domestic animals. I look forward
to the day when this idea, which has already taken root
in so many communities, will blossom to the point where
there are truly no more homeless pets.
Cyrus Mejia
Click here to view QuickTime slideshow of 575 Project
installation which was displayed in Phoenix, AZ
May 1-21, 2003.
If nothing happens you'll
need to go on the internet to download a free Quicktime
Player. |
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