Artists and Critics Debate Animal Bodies in Contemporary Art

A roundtable discussion on Artribune, moderated by Santa Nastro, gathers artists, curators, and critics to examine the ethical implications of using animal bodies in contemporary art. Participants include Giulia Cotterli, Gian Maria Tosatti, Angel Moya Garcia, Isabella Pers, Martina Macchia, Giorgio Verzotti, Marco Mancuso, Tiziana Pers, Gabi Scardi, and Giacinto Di Pietrantonio. The debate contrasts historical precedents—from Joseph Beuys and Jannis Kounellis to Damien Hirst and Maurizio Cattelan—with current antispeciesist and posthumanist perspectives. Cotterli criticizes the lack of consent for non-human animals, citing Vedovamazzei's exhibition "New Egg" at Villa San Quirico during Turin Art Week. Tosatti defends the necessity of certain gestures, arguing they remain revolutionary regardless of changing sensibilities. Moya Garcia notes a shift toward horizontal, inclusive relationships. Verzotti traces non-anthropocentric views back to Giuseppe Penone and highlights Pierre Huyghe's work. Mancuso connects distributed agency to posthuman philosophy. Scardi calls for greater awareness, referencing Giovanni Aloi's essay on animal matter in art. Di Pietrantonio recalls Cattelan's remark that "an animal always works" but also praises the Pers sisters' practice of rescuing animals from slaughter. The discussion underscores a growing urgency to rethink art's relationship with animality.