Dedications, Naive and True

moretonbayfig

The words and sentiments here are my own, but I'm inspired to write this by the recent actions of a dear friend and PJer...

I'm a mother of 3 and have been working in the public mental health, and not-for-profit family and domestic sector for over 15 years so I'm certainly not naive to the 'ways of the world' or how alternative voices can be silenced. But, on the difficult days I know I can turn to PJ for solace, kinship and inspiration. In even the darkest of PJ tunes is always a glimmer of light and hope - for change, redemption, forgiveness, a springtime ahead... I believe in PJ, and I believe that they believe the values that they stand for.

My friend cares very passionately about animal rights, and is very knowledgeable about the greyhound racing industry and the harm it causes to greyhounds - not only those that race, but to the countless others that fall victim to breeding practices that are motivated by performance and profit. That her favourite band would use an image of greyhounds racing on their Amsterdam poster is very distressing to her. Perhaps other 10 members feel the same way? Can enlighten the band, the artist and those of us that value the lives of animals?

My hope is that a demonstration of solidarity from other members will prompt a response to her correspondence with 10c and the artist, and hopefully restore her faith in Pearl Jam.

Thanks for listening. M xo

elwayvedder

wait, those images aren't cows? if they are greyhounds, i hope they are running free and happy

moretonbayfig

elwayvedder said:

wait, those images aren't cows? if they are greyhounds, i hope they are running free and happy

No, unfortunately they are muzzled greyhounds racing 'in full flight' but certainly not free :(

Thanks so much for your comment and 'bump' David. I value your friendship and support

3days

The artwork used by Pearl Jam for merch and advertising has often depicted some form of injustice (Dick Cheney, white collar slaves, gas tank monsters... etc.) I can't believe that it was the intention of the band or the artist to glorify greyhound racing with this particular set of artwork.

Please consider that previous Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder gig posters have featured bull fighting, distressed SeaWorld orcas, and an oil-covered swan. I believe that the greyhounds on the posters were meant as yet another symbol of animal mistreatment.

Also, please consider that the artist's website and gallery referred to the depicted greyhounds as "beautiful animals" "chasing after things they cannot understand"... a rather thought-provoking statement.

I agree wholeheartedly that greyhound racing is harmful and cruel, but I don't think that idea is lost on the band or the artist. I'm not sure if any of this changes your friend's perspective on the artwork, but I hope she has considered the possibilities.

moretonbayfig

Thanks 3days for your input. Art should definitely provoke emotion and discussion, and the context can be very important in interpreting an image. Thankyou for clarifying some of the context for me, and for expressing your own view of greyhound racing. I won't speak for my friend, but I'll ask her to read your comments. M xo

PJstyle

Yeah, I almost passed up this post, but for some reason I just couldn't. Oh, and I'm sure I'll regret this. But seriously, your friend was distressed over a poster? Has she seen this one: http://pearljam.com/goods/product_info.php?cPath=19&products_id=2388

Clearly, neither Pearl Jam nor the artist wish to see society in chains and being controlled by 'the powers that be.' It is metaphorical. That a response from an artist (10C, Band etc) would even be asked for another metaphorical work seems silly to me. It is unfortunate that your friend was distressed over this poster, that is sad to hear. It might be even more sad that her distress was entirely misplaced.

Thanks for the info, 3Days.

PJ_Soul

I was definitely struck by the use of racing greyhounds on that poster as well, and surprised they did it. I think it was a big mistake on PJ's part to use that image and I don't understand and why they did. I thought it was common knowledge that greyhound racing equals animal abuse. I did consider what the other person above mentioned when I saw the poster... that the image is meant to draw attention to the issue either specifically or vaguely.... but I just don't feel that the poster shows that, and the artist's statement does nothing to convince me that it's meant as art addressing animal cruelty. So even if that were the intention, it pretty much fails, and thus acts as a disservice unintentionally IMO.

3days

Context! That was the word I was looking for while writing my last post!

Thank you for your response... I hope it does cast the imagery in a different light. And who knows? I may be wrong about the artistic intent. However, judging by some of his other prints, I think SIT might like to start the occasional conversation. Ditto for PJ.

PJstyle

Yes, PJ must be for animal cruelty. And by that logic, they are also pro slavery, based on the poster linked above. C'mon...

PJ_Soul

PJstyle said:

Yes, PJ must be for animal cruelty. And by that logic, they are also pro slavery, based on the poster linked above. C'mon...

That is not what anyone is saying or even came close to saying.

2-feign-reluctance

PJstyle said:

Yes, PJ must be for animal cruelty. And by that logic, they are also pro slavery, based on the poster linked above. C'mon...

Thoughtful response there bud. Sheesh.

bv237207

I was the Amsterdam show and as far as I can remember the words "slow the f##k down" were written on the back of the poster. Maybe this sheds another light on the artist's intentions.

PJstyle

moretonbayfig said:

My hope is that a demonstration of solidarity from other members will prompt a response to her correspondence with 10c and the artist, and hopefully restore her faith in Pearl Jam.

The person from the original post has apparently lost her faith in Pearl Jam over a metaphorical poster, presumably due to the insinuations of animal cruelty. I've simply been trying to point out the lunacy of that.

If you don't find that to be slightly ridiculous, well then, perhaps I am the fool.

PJ_Soul

PJstyle said:

moretonbayfig said:

My hope is that a demonstration of solidarity from other members will prompt a response to her correspondence with 10c and the artist, and hopefully restore her faith in Pearl Jam.

The person from the original post has apparently lost her faith in Pearl Jam over a metaphorical poster, presumably due to the insinuations of animal cruelty. I've simply been trying to point out the lunacy of that.

If you don't find that to be slightly ridiculous, well then, perhaps I am the fool.

Yeah, if that's the case it's very silly. I just find the poster sort of misguided. A mistake. It doesn't change my feelings about PJ in any way whatsoever, and if someone does feel like that then they are Taki get shit way way way too seriously and reading way too far into things for their own good.

moretonbayfig

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. I disagree that 'distress' can be 'misplaced' - the image itself is distressing for many because of the subject matter. Neither do I agree that it is 'lunacy' for a person's faith to be put into question when people they love and trust take action that crosses a boundary for them.

My personal thoughts are that there is no call to empathy in those images. I'm not sure that it is widely known that the greyhound racing industry is cruel to animals. Without the context provided, the images appear glamorous, exciting and/or beautiful because of greyhounds being themselves beautiful creatures.

'Slow the fuck down'? For this, freedom and liberty are necessary conditions. Millions of humans do not have these conditions. Greyhounds who are bred and drugged solely for the purpose of meeting human greed certainly do not.

I value the passion and diversity of thought in this community. M xo

PJstyle

I applaud you and your friend's values and willingness to stand up against what you think is wrong in the world. But I hope you can continue to find faith in the things you love. Keep fighting the good fight.

Froggie

I think this is the most ridiculous post I've seen here in a long time. From a family who breeds, owns and races greyhounds your comments or your friends ideas are crazy to me. This probably isn't the place to debate animal welfare. All I can say is that all the trainers and owners we've ever dealt with love their animals. It certainly isn't for monetary gain. The average prize money is 100 euro a race. Wouldn't even feed and keep a greyhound in training for a week!

shortstack

Froggie said:

I think this is the most ridiculous post I've seen here in a long time. From a family who breeds, owns and races greyhounds your comments or your friends ideas are crazy to me. This probably isn't the place to debate animal welfare. All I can say is that all the trainers and owners we've ever dealt with love their animals. It certainly isn't for monetary gain. The average prize money is 100 euro a race. Wouldn't even feed and keep a greyhound in training for a week!

what happens to your greyhounds when they are no longer able to race? do you keep them as pets?

FoxyRedLa

Is this really about a dear friend?

PJ_Soul

Froggie said:

I think this is the most ridiculous post I've seen here in a long time. From a family who breeds, owns and races greyhounds your comments or your friends ideas are crazy to me. This probably isn't the place to debate animal welfare. All I can say is that all the trainers and owners we've ever dealt with love their animals. It certainly isn't for monetary gain. The average prize money is 100 euro a race. Wouldn't even feed and keep a greyhound in training for a week!

Whatever. There is tons of abuse in the industry and I have known greyhounds who were saved from death after they couldn't race anymore and they were absolutely traumatized. The lovely people who took them on had to work so hard just to try and get these poor things not to freak out around other people while being walked. You will not convince me that greyhound racing is okay for the animals no matter how much you insist that you take care of your dogs. The industry as a whole leads to the inhumane treatment of greyhounds.

whofeelslikeadrank

this is now taking an awkward turn... i love dogs. i wish i had room for more.

JB128716

I thought it was an odd choice, but not as odd as DeLuna Fest 2012. Ponce DeLeon killing a manatee.

http://pearljam.com/setlists/1048/2012/21516/de_luna_festival


This was the last poster I bought to a show that I didn't love. Too bad for me I haven't been to a PJ show since where I loved the poster.

BRAIN0FJAY

PJ_Soul said:

Froggie said:

I think this is the most ridiculous post I've seen here in a long time. From a family who breeds, owns and races greyhounds your comments or your friends ideas are crazy to me. This probably isn't the place to debate animal welfare. All I can say is that all the trainers and owners we've ever dealt with love their animals. It certainly isn't for monetary gain. The average prize money is 100 euro a race. Wouldn't even feed and keep a greyhound in training for a week!

Whatever. There is tons of abuse in the industry and I have known greyhounds who were saved from death after they couldn't race anymore and they were absolutely traumatized. The lovely people who took them on had to work so hard just to try and get these poor things not to freak out around other people while being walked. You will not convince me that greyhound racing is okay for the animals no matter how much you insist that you take care of your dogs. The industry as a whole leads to the inhumane treatment of greyhounds.

^^^ Yup...

I live five minutes, give or take, from a greyhound race track (now a glorified "casino" of the most half-assed variety). A long time ago I actually had my first job there (in the "upscale" restaurant, thankfully...and that was pretty bad in and of itself). The stories I heard and still hear and the shit you see makes you sick (assuming you are pro-dog). But yeah, PJ Soul...I agree with what you had to say. It sucks.

On a side note...my current employer holds our Christmas party there every year. I get drunk and gamble with the high-rollers (of which I'm not), and I try not to watch the pups. That, too, sucks... :-bd

3days

And what is the end result of the SIT prints and marquee? We're having a conversation about humaneness towards animals. We're discussing an artistic expression. I think that's a good thing.

I used to work for a pet supply store that teamed with local animal shelters. I saw more than one greyhound missing eyes and limbs during that time, which wasn't so common amongst the other adoptable animals. My hunch is that it wasn't a coincidence.

I can understand why some people don't approve of the artwork, or why they might feel it's a miss... that's okay. As for me, I see a muzzled animal in a brutal competition, on a PJ poster, with the words "slow the fuck down" on the back, and I come to a different conclusion.

missisles

Thank you for putting words together so eloquently mel.
I am the person who lost faith.
I am the one who has turned my back on the band
I find the image vulgar.
The "artistic"side of the poster was considered and it was not a decision I made lightly. There was over 30 messages sent using various methods to band, management and the artist.
In relation to artist statement of "slow the fuck down"... a slow greyhound is a dead greyhound in most instances.
However as I sit writing this post with not 1, but 2 rescue hounds by my side I know I have made the right choice.
I have sold most my collection with a few items left to sell.
Money has been donated to a greyhound rescue group.

In relation to this being ridiculous you are welcome to your opinion.
I am also welcome to mine.
Even the best cared for dogs are still at risk each and every time they race.

Thanks again mel. You are a wonderful human and I am lucky to have a friend like you