Work of art at university sparks discussion about abortion

Without a plaque with a title or explanation of its purpose, a work of art exhibited by the Federal University of Rio Grande (Furg) this week generated criticism on social media for its alleged support of abortion. “There is an abortion tree in pavilion 4”, said a visitor to the exhibition in a post on social media.

In the video released, the long red fabric was shown connected to a dry tree with dolls hanging — many upside down — and held with fabrics of the same color tied to its branches.

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“If I weren’t a Christian, I would have wanted her to be in that ‘abortion tree’, so I wouldn’t have lived to say this nonsense”, criticized federal deputy Captain Alden (PL-BA) on his social networks. “What can we expect from this generation that belches empathy, tolerance and love, but deals with the issue of abortion as calmly as if a baby’s head were something insignificant?” said digital influencer and Catholic speaker Karen Nery.

In response to the criticism, the university posted a note on its social networks stating that the work was installed on the university’s premises in reference to an event aimed at environmental studies attended by around 150 people, among students and interested parties.

Therefore, it would aim to “promote reflection on the role of interdependence between us and nature, and how violence practiced against nature reflects on violence practiced against us”, explained the pro-rector of Extension and Culture, Daniel Prado, quoted in Publication.

In an interview with Gazeta do Povo, he informed that the theme was chosen due to the recent deforestation of green areas in the municipality of Rio Grande, and that the Environmental Studies Journey addressed the subject with lectures, workshops and also through art.

“We invited local scenographer Margarida Rache, and she agreed to participate because she supports environmental movements such as RioGrandeQuerVerde”, he informed, pointing out that the work had no cost to the university and that its intention would be to discuss, mainly, “impacts of forest destruction such as mortality due to the destruction of forests and wars”.

However, he reports that people saw the exhibition in front of the event room and, “as can happen with any artistic manifestation, created different interpretations” of what was proposed.

When asked about installing a plaque at the site explaining the work, Prado said “that the artist does not necessarily need to explain his art” and that the event organizers were aware of what would be displayed.

“But we have a big problem today: information that is not reflected, which is released in a very hasty manner with mistaken interpretations and a lack of debate”, criticized the pro-rector, who is also a historian and musician.

Explanation by artist Margarida Rach

In an interview with Gazeta do Povo, the artist from Rio Grande do Sul Margarida Rache reports that she was surprised by the repercussion and that her intention with the work was the opposite of what happened. “I am a defender of life”, she stated, citing that the intention was to raise awareness of the need for human beings to take care of the environment so that life can continue.

“We are living in a time of great aggression and violence, not only against human beings, but against nature, and I cannot separate man from nature, as man is the fruit of nature,” he said. “There is an interdependence.”

She also reported that the children hanging from the dry tree were intended to demonstrate that children, like all human beings, can die if nature ceases to exist. “This violence against nature reverberates in human beings”, she pointed out, repeating that her intention was to talk about life.

“I don’t think it’s wrong that they interpreted it as an abortion, but that subject never crossed my mind”, concludes the artist.