Elephant artist

[mckitterick]

This is ASTOUNDING:

I want to believe the elephant came up with this piece of art on her own, but I presume she was trained. Nevertheless.

Does anyone know back-story for this painting or ths organization? Just WOW.

Thanks for the heads-up, siro gravity.

Chris

Comments

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

If that's not from Thailand, it may be from the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. At least one of their elephants (Tarra) was a painter, and seems to have done it on her own. There's also a center in Thailand with painting elephants; try googling elephant art gallery and see what you get. Some seem to enjoy it and will do it on their own. They seem to be inclined to abstract art.

Snopes.com also a has an entry on the video. There's a Wikipedia article on Ruby, who appears, like Tarra, to have started by drawing in the dirt with a stick.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Bogwitch64 (below) shared the Snopes link - it's real! Fascinating.

[bogwitch64.livejournal.com]

Trained or not, that IS astounding! Here's some background: http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/elephantpainting.asp

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And you're right, it's wonderful either way.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

And it's just as astonishing on your page as mine. :)
I enjoyed the link that bogwitch64 put up. Really interesting, and that they can paint so well is amazing even if they are trained.
I mean, people are trained, too, right?

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting it! And, yes, why should we consider it any different if a human or elephant is trained to replicate a piece of art?

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

I found it interesting that Tarra and Ruby both drew with sticks in the dirt unprompted before they were given paint and brushes.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

They're natural artists!

[edichka2.livejournal.com]

Boggling.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Isn't it, though?