Artists Using Meat as Creative Medium Through History
A survey of artists who have used meat as a medium, spanning from Pieter Aertsen's 1551 painting 'Butcher's Stall with the Holy Family Giving Alms' to contemporary works. The article traces the evolution of meat in art, highlighting its symbolic and visceral qualities. Key works include Rembrandt's 'Slaughtered Ox,' Francis Bacon's 'Figure with Meat,' Marc Quinn's hyperrealistic flesh paintings (2011-2013), Daniel Spoerri's 1969 film 'Resurrection,' Carolee Schneemann's 1964 performance 'Meat Joy,' Lady Gaga's 2010 meat dress at the MTV Video Music Awards, Zhang Huan's 2001 meat-covered superhero persona, Jana Sterbak's 1987 'Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic,' and Vito Acconci's 'Trademarks' performance. The article explores the dualism between figurative and abstract, appetizing and repulsive, and the moral paradox of consuming meat.
Key facts
- Pieter Aertsen painted 'Butcher's Stall with the Holy Family Giving Alms' in 1551.
- Annibale Carracci and Bartolomeo Passerotti also painted butcher shops.
- Rembrandt painted a 'Slaughtered Ox,' inspiring Francis Bacon's 'Figure with Meat.'
- Marc Quinn created hyperrealistic flesh paintings between 2011 and 2013.
- Daniel Spoerri made the film 'Resurrection' in 1969.
- Carolee Schneemann performed 'Meat Joy' in 1964.
- Lady Gaga wore a meat dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
- Zhang Huan covered himself in steaks in 2001 to resemble a superhero.
- Jana Sterbak created 'Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic' in 1987.
- Vito Acconci performed 'Trademarks' involving self-biting.
Entities
Artists
- Pieter Aertsen
- Annibale Carracci
- Bartolomeo Passerotti
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Francis Bacon
- Marc Quinn
- Daniel Spoerri
- Carolee Schneemann
- Lady Gaga
- Zhang Huan
- Jana Sterbak
- Vito Acconci
- Carlo Spinelli
- Aldo Spinelli
Institutions
- MTV
- Artribune