Stand Up for the Voices Who Can't

         

When I was a teenager I was driving by the side of an 18 wheeler, but this 18 wheeler was different. As I get closer to the truck I see thousands of chickens crammed, and some looked dead. I could not believe this was a standard means of transportation of animals in the agriculture industry. I remember calling my mom at the time, to vent, it saddened me, and also provoked thought. I came to the realization that if this is how transportation looked for these animals, then I can't imagine what living conditions they endure.

Battery cages are the most common method used in the United States to confine chickens. These cages are designed to achieve high density, by stacking on top of one another, and quickest results to meet high demands of the egg industry in the United States. They are very small, cramped, and pose a great deal of negative physical and psychological impacts on animals. 

A battery cage is designed to house female hens, after being born in hatcheries, and awaiting maturity which typically takes about 18 weeks these hens are shipped to battery cages where they will spend the remainder of their life, which generally isn’t long, approximately two years. The average lifespan of a hen raised outside of concentrated animal feeding operations can live up to eight years (The Happy Chicken Coop, 2021). 

Imagine spending your entire life in a small, cramped space, not being able to move or spread your wings, stand up even. Battery cages prevent hens from engaging in their most favored natural behaviors such as perching, roosting, dust-bathing, foraging, and exploring (Everything you should know about battery cages 2020). Each cage contains about four to ten birds. A common misconception is each cage containing one bird, battery cages do not equate to one cage per bird. Birds are stuffed into these communal shared living spaces. According to the 2017 Guidelines by United Egg farmers, each bird must have 67-68 square inches of space, which is roughly the size of a sheet of paper THL. (2020, December 3). 

A report from United Egg producers estimates 85 percent of commercial egg production in the United States uses battery cages (Facts & stats 2021). Fortunately, the rise in cage free operations has been increasing as more organizations are conscious regarding where their eggs are coming from.

By now I am sure you understand why I feel as though the use of battery cages should be banned entirely. In most countries, including the United States battery cages are still legal at a national level. However, regulations vary based on state or regional jurisdictions. Some countries have begun to outlaw, and/orare phasing out these inhumane devices. These countries include:

• Bhutan, banned in 2012

• Germany, phased out completed in 2006

• India, phase out completed in 2017

• New Zealand, phase out to be completed in 2022

• The European Union, phase out completed in 2012

• Norway, banned in 2012

• Switzerland, banned in 1992

Battery cages remain legal in the United States still. But, Many states have begun passing their own laws to stop their uses. These states have passed legislation that either bans or requires phasing out of battery cages; California, Colorado, Masschesetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington (THL. (2020, December 3). 

In conclusion, I ask that you prioritize humane welfare over profit. Think about where the eggs in your grocery cart are coming from, and what the animal has endured to support consumer needs.  

References: 

Facts & stats. United Egg Producers. (2021, March 10). Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https://unitedegg.com/facts-stats/ 

The Happy Chicken Coop. (2021, October 14). How long do chickens live: 6 factors that impact life expectancy -. The Happy Chicken Coop. Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/how-long-do-chickens-live/ 

THL. (2020, December 3). Everything you should know about battery cages. Thehumaneleague.org. Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https://thehumaneleague.org/article/battery-cages

    So now that you have some background on the topic the poster. I visualize a poster with a caged chicken, emphasis on the cage restricting much movement for the chicken. I want the words to really pop because my title is a play on words, the cages restrict the chickens from spreading wings, or even being able to stand up. 

    Also, in my research I found out that the size required for battery cages in the United States is 67-68 inches, which is roughly the size of paper. I will use the distort effect in photoshop to maybe have a plain piece of white paper under the chickens cage resembling what would be the base of the cage.

M2CP- Photomontage: Image Hijack part 2

COVID-19 Division:

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this public health issue has been highly politicized world wide. Our country specifically has been divided on the thoughts of wearing a mask in public. Some view it as a violation of their constitutional rights while others refuse service/ feel concerned for their own personal health and safety when around individuals without a mask. This issue has sparked many cases of assault and even murder over mask policies in the recent months. This should not be a surprise however, as a similar division was experienced during the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Abortion

    I chose abortion because it is a highly debated political issue in todays society. While many individuals have a negative perception on abortion, I think the effect that it has on the women who have experienced an abortion is often overlooked. This image depicts a strong, independent woman represented by Rosie the Riveter. Here she is showing her strength on the outside, while the traumatic memory of a previous abortion still haunts her mentally.   

Animal Abuse:

This image depicts a human head covered in blood. My first thought about this piece is that this decapitated human head is perceived as art, but if this was an animals bloody head it would be perceived as violent/disturbing. 

 

Abortion

The first issue I chose to alter was an iconic image in history of Rosie Riveter because she is potreyed as a very strong independent woman. The reason I chose her for this artwork to alter is because I chose an issue that is very controversial and nationwide. Many women experience judgement on a daily basis for a decision. I wanted Rosie to hold a mirror in her fist to show the reflection of a decision made in her past, and how she is still holding the mirror with a fist to represent the strength it took for her to make that decision. 

Animal Abuse 

The next issue I chose was artwork by Marc Quinn Called "Self". This is a portrait of his own head painted in his own blood. I chose this image to alter using a cow's head because the reaction when using a cow's head is very different than when a human's head is used. Absolutely different perspective when you change the model in the portrait for this artwork. 

American Gothic 

The last artwork I chose to alter for this project is American Gothic. I chose this image to represent the divide regarding vaccinations, make mandates and COVID-19 policies in general. Divide country wise, household, and between families overall.