# Artist to eat stillborn dead baby as performance art- Why is this even legal to show? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 30, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725 "2002-12-30T18:52:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/1 "2002-12-30T18:52:45Z")
Doesn’t British TV have _some_ limits on what can be broadcast? [C4 to show artist eating dead baby](http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,866514,00.html) > [@](#): > > The documentary, Beijing Swings, which looks at the extreme practices of some artists in China, also shows a man drinking wine that has had an amputated penis marinaded in it. > > The programme, which has been condemned by the Chinese embassy in London, will be broadcast on Thursday night. A spokesman for Channel 4 said last night: “The programme will be controversial and will shock some viewers but a warning will be given before it goes out on air.” > > The documentary shows stills of Zhu Yu, the artist, biting into the body of a stillborn infant. He says: “No religion forbids cannibalism. Nor can I find any law which prevents us from eating people. I took advantage of the space between morality and the law and based my work on it.” ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/2 "2002-12-30T18:54:25Z")
Holy fuck. Those people need mental help. That’s not art, its just plain whacked. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/3 "2002-12-30T18:55:14Z")
_“Why is this even legal to show?”_ Because there’s no law against it? Don’t worry, our own moral guardians are up in arms about it already. Personally I wonder whether Channel 4 are shooting themselves in the foot over this - it was one thing to get away with the live, televised autopsy recently (at least that had some educational value) - but this just seems to be designed to shock. Not all publicity is good publicity. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/4 "2002-12-30T18:56:14Z")
Why, oh, why did I open this thread? ---
**Author:** ![fauxpas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e480ec/32.png) [@fauxpas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fauxpas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/5 "2002-12-30T18:57:54Z")
well they showed the process of a man getting his uhh… “member” taken off and replaced by his MIDDLE FINGER!! [www.ripleysbelieveitornot.com](http://www.ripleysbelieveitornot.com) ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/6 "2002-12-30T18:58:08Z")
…and this thread has taught me to never again read the SDMB while eating lunch. Did you have to put that in the thread title? Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/7 "2002-12-30T19:00:16Z")
Here in Hong Kong a few years ago the serious newspapers were filled for a while with the issue of how in Southern China it was (and probably still is) popular for people to eat aborted foetuses as a health aid. Abortion clinics were found to be selling them. I’ve heard a lot of sick eating habits in this part of the world, but that one was the worst. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/8 "2002-12-30T19:01:04Z")
A couple of points to clarify from the article. First, the act has already occurred. Whether this section of the show should be televised or not, nothing can change what happened. Secondly, the eating is not being televised live; still photos are to be shown. I realise that these points may seem trivial, but it’s worth being accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/9 "2002-12-30T19:03:11Z")
Here’s a cite for my above post, but don’t read it if you’re easily upset by the subject of the post. ---
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/10 "2002-12-30T19:03:23Z")
Here’s a cite for my above post, but don’t read it if you’re easily upset by the subject of the post. [http://www.tibet.ca/wtnarchive/1995/4/14-2\_1.html](http://www.tibet.ca/wtnarchive/1995/4/14-2_1.html) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/11 "2002-12-30T19:09:19Z")
If you want to get grossed out, go to [rotten.com](http://rotten.com). Warning!! Some of the photos they have are _really_ disturbing. Among other things, they have a couple shots of people apparently eating dead babies. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/12 "2002-12-30T19:15:09Z")
I consider myself a very open person and willing to tolerate much that I personally find repugnant but good grief…this is just too much. I mean, it’s bad enough to contemplate people stranded somewhere resorting to cannibalism in order to survive. Whether or not I could personally ever do it (and I suppose I will never really know unless actually faced with that dilemma) at least I can understand the motivation behind it. But eating another human for _art_??? Good God…some people need to get a grip. It’s nothing but a publicity stunt for the artist and a particularly gruesome one at that. I don’t claim to understand all art but surely this gets out of that realm!? If we’re lucky maybe he’ll consider self-immolation for his next work of ‘art’. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/13 "2002-12-30T19:15:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rider \* > \*\*Here’s a cite for my above post, but don’t read it if you’re easily upset by the subject of the post. > > [http://www.tibet.ca/wtnarchive/1995/4/14-2\_1.html](http://www.tibet.ca/wtnarchive/1995/4/14-2_1.html) \*\* Oh my GOD!! That story is more disconcerting than my OP by an order of magnitude… no make that order **s** of magnitude. All the docs and the kids of the docs at the birth control clinics in China are apparently _very_ well fed. ---
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/14 "2002-12-30T19:19:47Z")
If I took Zhu Yu outside and kicked the shit out of him, then called it art, would he appreciate it I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/15 "2002-12-30T19:30:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rider \* > \*\*If I took Zhu Yu outside and kicked the shit out of him, then called it art, would he appreciate it I wonder? \*\* Careful…if you did that he might Zhu Yu…err…sue you. ---
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/16 "2002-12-30T19:33:50Z")
What a nice image though…call the media to a specified location, tell them there’s going to be an art event, then when they arrive drag Zhu Yu into the street, beat him senseless, then tip a can of red paint over him, and…tadaaah! A work of art. Or am I over-reacting? ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/17 "2002-12-30T19:41:03Z")
Er, [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/horrors/cannibal/fetus.htm) has something to say about this “artist” and this particular piece of “art”. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/18 "2002-12-30T19:43:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rider \* > \*\*What a nice image though…call the media to a specified location, tell them there’s going to be an art event, then when they arrive drag Zhu Yu into the street, beat him senseless, then tip a can of red paint over him, and…tadaaah! A work of art. > > Or am I over-reacting? \*\* Well, as he succinctly states " I took advantage of the space between morality and the law and based my work on it." But that’s a pretty big space and there’s room for plenty of ass kickings by pissed off people within it. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/19 "2002-12-30T19:46:54Z")
Okay, I think most of us can agree that this is not exactly wholesome family entertainment, but let’s try to keep our emotions in check in this forum. Let’s limit ourselves to discussing the facts, such as what the law in China says about such performances, and what the law and enforceable broadcasting standards in the U.K. say about airing such performances. And we can of course discuss whether or not the whole thing is a hoax. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725/20 "2002-12-30T19:49:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\*Er, [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/horrors/cannibal/fetus.htm) has something to say about this “artist” and this particular piece of “art”. \*\* Giant **WOOSHING** sound fills the air as a large man is carried up into the clouds by a mighty, whirling tornado of credulity. “But, but… it was in the papers” he cried “and on the internet” as his voice slowly faded into the distance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artist-to-eat-stillborn-dead-baby-as-performance-art-why-is-this-even-legal-to-show/145725.md?page=2)