Big Sky Cairn

Yale senior, Aliza Shvarts wanted an art project that would provoke debate and spur discussion. So, she chose a topic that was sure to piss off everyone.

Over the course of 9 months, Shvarts artificially inseminated herself multiple times and then used herbal abortifacient drugs to terminate the pregnancies. She then documented the resulting miscarriages using video and photo. She even preserved samples of the blood.

The display of Shvarts’ project will feature a large cube suspended from the ceiling of a room in the gallery of Green Hall. Shvarts will wrap hundreds of feet of plastic sheeting around this cube; lined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Shvarts’ self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.

Shvarts will then project recorded videos onto the four sides of the cube. These videos, captured on a VHS camcorder, will show her experiencing miscarriages in her bathrooom tub, she said. Similar videos will be projected onto the walls of the room.

Though I have my doubts, Shvarts insists that the project was not done 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.”

So let me see if I have this straight. She violated her own body, risked her own health and killed her own children to incite a discussion about one of the most talked about issues of all time? But Shvarts argues that the conversation shouldn’t be about abortion. She argues that the project is about the relationship between art, beauty and the human body.

Sure it is.

The idea that a woman would recruit “sperm donors” and impregnate herself only to terminate those pregnancies is abhorrent. That she would then celebrate her lack of perspective, not to mention he lack of conscience, is deeply disturbing.

The only common ground in the debate about abortion is the understanding by both sides that a woman’s decision to have an abortion is not one to be taken lightly. Shvarts and her “art” trivialize not only abortion but demean the millions of women who agonize over the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Her exhibit is also a horrific insult to any woman who has had a miscarriage or is unable to conceive a child.

I am appalled by Shvarts actions, but I am enraged by how easily she can dismiss them as necessary and unimportant. Her actions demonstrate an unfathomable callousness. I fail to comprehend how a person could see this shocking display as art. And even though I am a pro-choice Republican, I find Shvart’s actions insulting to my very humanity.

The sick part is, she will probably enjoy that I wrote this post.

Update: Though Yale University is claiming that Aliza Shvarts project was a hoax, Shvarts is standing by “her work” even explaining her method further.  Hoax or no hoax, this chick is one sick human being.  Her callous disregard for the legion of women who read this story and were brought to tears by memories of miscarriages and abortions is truly mesmerizing.  The fact that she was and still is unable to comprehend the damage that this “art” could do to herself and others is astonishing.

this is sick. and i mean that in the old fashioned way, as in ‘this person is sick and needs help’ …

If a man decided to to this sort of art by impregnating women and then spiking their drinks with abortion drugs, he would be tried on multiple counts of first degree murder.

And even though I am a pro-choice Republican, I find Shvart’s actions insulting to my very humanity.

I, a pro-choice Liberal, conpletely agree with your summary in this line; this is absurdly over-the-top; thanks for pointing this one out.

If true, this is absolutely disgusting. Newsbusters has a write up on how this girl might be delusional and the whole thing an unintentional hoax. In that the drugs used to induce an abortion are herbal mixtures not recognized by the FDA or any medical entity, also, how she went about impregnating herself is suspect.

One can only hope that is the case because this is just morally wrong.

It’s a hoax. Several news outlets are reporting that a Yale spokesperson has said the outcry was part of the project.

My first thought is: Thank God. But even now, I’m still angry. This immature chick toyed with the emotions of millions of women who have suffered through losing a child and other women who are conflicted about their decision to have an abortion. The fact that she could think this was a constructive addition to the abortion debate, or be delusional enough to think it would spur discussion about “art and the human body” is completely asinine.

She must have known her actions would hurt other people, she simply chose not to care. Her parents must be so proud.