Update: Activists Buy Full Page Ads To Shut Down iPad-Wearing Tortoise Exhibit

Animal rights activists have taken out full page ads in the Aspen Times asking people to boycott the Aspen Art Museum until it removes the “exhibit” of tortoises wandering around an enclosure with iPads affixed to their shells. The iPads are displaying images of nearby ghost towns. Local activists say that the exhibit not only exploits the animals but also sends a message to people that affixing objects to animals is acceptable. For more background about the exhibit, please see Aspen Art Museum Under Fire for iPad-toting Tortoise Exhibit.

Ad in the Aspen Times

I don’t know if this ad asking for a boycott will reduce attendance or trigger interest in the exhibit. I can’t help but think, however, that many people will see the words “Take the iPads off of the tortoises” and ask themselves, “Why the hell are they gluing iPads to tortoises? That seems wrong.” As I mentioned in a previous post, African turtles belong in Africa, not in Aspen — serving as mobile TV stands. According to the museum, these turtles were “rescued” from a breeder where they were living in an over-crowded pen. Is the artist going to take care of these turtles for life when the exhibit ends?  Doubtful!  This museum should place these tortoises in a sanctuary and then produce a photo exhibit entitled “From Museum Captivity to Freedom.” Here’s an online petition to shut down his exploitive exhibit. Please share.