<p>Did anyone read about that freaky Yale student who is doing an art exhibition showing video tapes of her self-aborting in a bathtub? Makes me not wanna apply to Yale, if you know what I mean...</p>
<p>Then don't.</p>
<p>I can't decide if it's a prank of some sort, a way way inappropriate (to say the least) art project, or just a disturbed individual.</p>
<p>You guys should know that every single person I've talked with today finds this completely insane. We're just as disturbed as everyone else is. </p>
<p>I suppose it's her body and that there is academic freedom involved, yada yada, but I'm still hoping Yale will take an official stance on this or something - otherwise it will look like there is an institutional culture that lets outrageous, disrespectful stuff like this slide.</p>
<p>It's not for real. See Yale</a> University :: Office of Public Affairs</p>
<p>Pheeeew</p>
<p>New Haven, Conn. — April 17, 2008</p>
<p>Ms. Shvarts is engaged in performance art. Her art project includes visual representations, a press release and other narrative materials. She stated to three senior Yale University officials today, including two deans, that she did not impregnate herself and that she did not induce any miscarriages. The entire project is an art piece, a creative fiction designed to draw attention to the ambiguity surrounding form and function of a woman’s body.</p>
<p>She is an artist and has the right to express herself through performance art.</p>
<p>Had these acts been real, they would have violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental and physical health concerns.</p>
<p>Well I'm glad it's not for reals. I still find the concept to be kinda strange, but she has the right to express herself...</p>
<p>"but she has the right to express herself..."
Really? What about the very real speech codes?
In case you don't already know, some forms of speech are more equal than others.
The military that protects Ms Schvatz free speech cannot talk at Yale.</p>
<p>Obviously, Yale is approving the art exhibit because the exhibit is being shown on campus. I didn't say that I necessarily supported the idea of the exhibit, but obviously Yale does.</p>
<p>Woah chill out guys...</p>
<p>let her do what she wants. It's a "free" country</p>
<p>And maybe more attention needs to be put on the issue of abortion and the fact that it's involves a WOMAN'S body therefore it should be HER decision as to what she does and doesn't do with it.</p>
<p>Wouldn't be the first time art has changed the world.</p>
<p>I, like almost everyone on campus, was shocked and appalled by this. The administration played it off as though absolutely nothing happened, but YDN reporters did see the videos she made, and though it is possible it is all a huge hoax, the girl is maintaining that she DID artificially inseminate herself many times, and DID induce bleeding, BUT it is unlikely that she was ever actually pregnant. Note that this makes the original story about half true, and the administration about half wrong.</p>
<p>Regardless, the point to take away here is that the day it happened, EVERYONE I met thought it was disgusting. CLAY (the pro-life group on campus) and RRALY (the pro-choice advocacy group on campus) wrote a joint letter condemning it. I heard everyone from radical feminists and other far-left types to philosophy professors saying how terrible an idea the project was, and how it doesn't constitute real art.</p>
<p>To pro-lifers and other conservatives: When the Taliban man story broke, it nearly stopped me from applying to Yale. Don't make the same mistake I almost did! We have a well-developed conservative, religious, and pro-life communities here that though small in comparison to the whole student body, outstrip the opportunities available at other schools. We also have a decent contingent of conservative professors. Also, it is good to be in a situation where you can react to situations like these, and make a difference!</p>
<p>It kind of bothers me that people are so upset over this. I mean... yes, it's odd... but artistic expression is often really weird/kind of gross. That people think she shouldn't be able to do this (most of yale's campus included) makes me wonder why people think they have the right to regulate what she does with her body.</p>