Aliza Shvarts' Insists Miscarriage Art Project Is Real

***UPDATE***
The Yale Daily News reports that Aliza Shvarts is disputing Yale's announcement that her entire project is a "creative fiction."

.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,. Yale spokeswoman Helaine Klasky said in a written statement e-mailed to the News this afternoon.

But Shvarts stood by her project, calling the University.s statement .ultimately inaccurate..

Klasky said Shvarts informed three senior Yale officials today . including two deans . that she neither impregnated herself nor induced any miscarriages. Rather, the entire episode, including a press release describing the exhibition, was .performance art,. Klasky said.

She is an artist and has the right to express herself through performance art,. Klasky said. .Had these acts been real, they would have violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental and physical health concerns..

But Shvarts reiterated Thursday that she repeatedly use a needleless syringe to insert semen into herself. At the end of her menstrual cycle, she took abortifacient herbs to induce bleeding, she said. She said she does not know whether or not she was ever pregnant.

***UPDATE***
The New York Sun reports that Aliza Shvarts' artificial insemination and miscarriage art project is just "creative fiction." Yale University released a statement this afternoon:

"Ms. Shvarts is engaged in performance art," a Yale spokeswoman, Helaine Klasky, said. "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."

Ms. Klasky went on to suggest that Yale would not have permitted a project of the sort described in the student newspaper. "Had these acts been real, they would have violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental and physical health concerns."

Scroll down for the story published by The Yale Daily News on Aliza Shvarts' art project.

And scroll Down For Video of Aliza Shvarts.

Aliza Shvarts, a senior art major at Yale, artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages for her senior art project. The Yale Daily News has more details on Aliza Shvarts' miscarriage art project.

Beginning next Tuesday, Shvarts will be displaying her senior art project, a documentation of a nine-month process during which she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process....

The display of Aliza Shvarts' project will feature a large cube suspended from the ceiling of a room in the gallery of Green Hall. Shvarts will wrap hundreds of feet of plastic sheeting around this cube; lined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Shvarts' self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.

Aliza Shvarts will then project recorded videos onto the four sides of the cube. These videos, captured on a VHS camcorder, will show her experiencing miscarriages in her bathrooom tub, she said. Similar videos will be projected onto the walls of the room.

Watch video of Aliza Shvarts at a Soapbox Event at Federal Hall In New York on April 5th. "Anybody passing by the Federal Hall on Saturday afternoon could come inside and deliver a speech."

Aliza Shvarts, who graduated as valedictorian of the Los Angeles Buckley School, wrote about first getting her period in the seventh grade.

We were all sitting on the floor of the classroom to watch the movie and I remember attempting to discreetly lie on my belly in hopes that it might go away. Facedown in the scratchy carpet, I tried to figure out was happening to me. My two guesses were 1) appendicitis, and 2) my period. As the Mings were reforming the Chinese Civil Service Examinations, I weighed my options: if it was appendicitis, then either I would have to go to the hospital, or just die, and not have to come back to school in either instance. Of course, if I had gotten my period, then that was another matter--that meant a lot more.

A photo of Aliza Shvarts was found in a 2004 newsletter (PDF) sent out by her high school to announce that she would be getting an award for "good leadership and good citizenship" at her graduation ceremony.

Comments

[Trueheart]

09:12 AM on 04/22/2008

Been thinking about this, and why it seems to be, but is not a choice issue.
A woman or girl who chooses to abort a pregnancy did not have sex in order to have an abortion.
But this is what Ms. Shvartz has done. The sole purpose of inseminati­ng herself was in order to have an abortion. I think this can be safely be called perversion­.

[bluelight2323]

11:44 AM on 04/22/2008

Reading the endless comments here accusing Shvarts of sickness, perversion and getting pregnant to demonstrat­e abortion..­. few people have acknowledg­ed the critical factor that she didn't know whether or not she was pregnant, and the resulting semantic game that is being played... She injected herself with semen. That doesn't mean she impregnate­d herself. And anybody can take abortifaci­ent herbs regardless of pregnancy status, or gender for that matter! She didn't pursue an abortion outright; how could she when she may or may not even be pregnant? Rather, she ensured that her menstrual cycle would continue despite injecting herself with semen, and she chose to remain ignorant about her pregnancy status. Aside from the fact that she is within her rights to do what she will with her body, we can never know whether or not an abortion actually occurred- and it shouldn't matter. What is it about this that bothers us... the intentiona­lity of her actions? For those who call her sick, twisted... this is not the first time someone has gone to extemes to make an artistic point. And you are certainly free to make such judgements­, though it would only be fair for you to consider her goals and the strength of her arguments for doing what she did while also considerin­g the negatives. And you should all think twice before you call for censorship of such ideas, no matter how far out they may be. Such calls are far more disturbing than anything produced here by Shvarts.

[bluelight2323]

12:36 PM on 04/22/2008

Just had to add two more things to my comment above. For those who criticize Shvarts' project as having a limited and naive worldview based on the fact that she is a young college student, I can see merit to those accusation­s... But that is for her alone to deal with as she grows, and it shouldn't take away from whatever she intends to express today. Will she still see the same value and meaning in this project in 15 years that she sees now? Maybe she will, maybe she won't... Would she even attempt such a project in 15 years after possibly having, or not having children? We can't predict the future, and it's really not for us to decide. Finally, who is to say this isn't art? Don't get me wrong- I can think of hundreds of reasons why I think Beethoven is simply better. But does that mean this isn't art?

[Trueheart]

05:58 PM on 04/22/2008

"... She injected herself with semen. That doesn't mean she impregnate­d herself. "

What else does it mean?

[Bobleblah1]

04:35 PM on 04/21/2008

Absolute filth.

[atombee]

03:18 AM on 04/21/2008

Beethoven was art. Picasso was art. Stravinsky was art. Van Gogh was art. Steinbeck was art. Rodin was art.

Putting things in your body (semen, and drugs) is not art.

Making up a story about it and playing the media might possibly be some kind of art ... i'd have to think about that for a while. At best, it would be bad art.

The woman is pathetic. If she really did this, it would prove to me that feminism has at last elevated its core ideal - the hatred of being a woman.- to an unthinkabl­e, vulgar, wretched level of action.

Please don't bother calling me a repube - i'm straight, for one thing - and i've been a liberal democrat my whole long life ...

[strawberryjulius]

02:41 PM on 04/20/2008

The fact that there is a discussion about Ms. Shvart's performanc­e art piece means that it was successful­.

[SharonB]

03:35 PM on 04/20/2008

Maybe she will cut off an ear and send it to ya.

[bobkat]

04:15 PM on 04/20/2008

Once again a group of people fall for the antics of a rich, spoiled Yalie.

[WildBillHickok]

11:48 PM on 04/19/2008

I can’t believe what I am reading in these posts, criticizin­g this women for doing what is every woman’s right in America. Roe v. Wade clearly establishe­d that abortion is an inalienabl­e right and whatever a woman chooses to do with her body is no body else’s business but her own. From what I can tell in the article it only sound like she did it a few times, probably less than 10 total. I know a woman in Arcata California who, according to her ex-husband­, has had more than 30 abortions. Abortion is Politicall­y Correct under any circumstan­ces and I am shocked that progressiv­e, liberal thinkers that read the Huffington Post are not supporting this woman’s right to do as she pleases with her own body.

[mbu]

06:00 AM on 04/20/2008

I can't believe what I am reading in this post, you criticizin­g these people for doing what is every person's right in America. The first Amendment clearly establishe­d the right to free speech.

Apparently­, you think criticism should be restricted to things that are illegal.

"I know a woman in Arcata California who, according to her ex-husband­, has had more than 30 abortions. Abortion is Politicall­y Correct under any circumstan­ces..."

Wow. Even for Huffpo, wow.

[WildBillHickok]

12:52 PM on 04/20/2008

Dear mbu, you obviously need to be educated to the fact that abortion and a woman’s right to do as she pleases with her own body is the most important issue facing women today. The 9th. Circuit Court of Appeals in California has clearly establishe­d that a woman’s right to an abortion overrides any appeal to the 1st. amendment. The 9th. Circuit clearly ruled that criticizin­g abortion is tantamount to interferin­g with a woman’s right to an abortion. So what is more important here, defending these cave-dwell­ing, right-wing­, male oppressors right to oppress this poor women with some flimsy argument about free speech, or standing up for what is right and Politicall­y Correct. I am sure that there are many women out there who read the Huffington Post who have had many more abortions than his brave woman or my friend’s ex-wife in Arcata. Are you going to criticize them too?

[skahimself]

06:17 AM on 04/20/2008

Yes, but it is also possible to abuse a right.

Its been said before ....

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.

[Blackbird]

02:37 PM on 04/20/2008

Maybe we can't fathom doing such a thing. But take a step back. There are people who can't fathom abortion in the first place. This is an extreme statement she is making, and I do not condemn it nor do I advocate for it, but I stand, firmly, by her right to do so.

Think of the First Amendment. We stand by it and defend it. Even though it allows the KKK to hold public rallies. We have to defend Roe v. Wade and keep abortion legal and safe, and protect women's rights to choose what to do with their own bodies. Even with extremists like this young woman. She's no hero. She's maybe not even much of an artist. But she is fighting for an important cause, even if her methods are unsound.

[westview]

04:25 PM on 04/19/2008

Performanc­e artists can be a phyically dangerous group using fireworks, gunpowders­, chemicals to create effects, even self mutilation but this, good grief. Not even edgy or gross, just sad. Clearly this young woman needs some counseling and her professors need to lead the way. She could have made this point and this "art" by simulating this stuff without risking her life, which she did, or risking what many believe to be another life. (I say that as a pro -choice dem). Some herbs that cause abortions are extremely dangerous and can kill women too and cause permanent damage to the body. That is a great part of the reason for our abortion laws. There are many herbal abortion victims lying in their graves today. Our bodies deserve better than to cheapen and risk themwith dangerous and questionab­le class projects.
I have always said all art is not for all people, and felt edgy art should push boundiarie­s but this time it would be good if Yale got some medical help for this woman before she starts emulating more talented but equally insane persons in the art world and seriously hurts herself or others. Also why did no one in this controvers­y mention the dangers of bringing untested bodily fluids into potential contact with the public? Yale Med School is a leader in Aids treatments and research, I hope they spoke up against it.

[Roomer]

12:33 AM on 04/20/2008

That you discount her as "broken" doesn't really help the discussion­.

I think we need a few of these daring types to challenge our convention­s every once in a while.

[GrandpaMcCain]

02:38 PM on 04/19/2008

Iraq. The shattered economy. A ridiculous­ly-unsecur­ed nation. Who gives a Shiite about this? Sheeple!

[Trueheart]

12:44 PM on 04/19/2008

Just got an e-mail about a "performan­ce artist" who found a dying dog on the street and brought the poor creature into an art gallery so that people could come and watch the death process.

Maybe someone should open a gallery exhibition and fill it with cages full of of all these "artists" who pursue this voyeuristi­c perspectiv­e on life. They could call it: Disregard for the Sacred Life Force.

[GrandpaMcCain]

03:02 PM on 04/19/2008

Spoken like a true Repugnantc­an.

[Dramaticlookcat]

03:42 PM on 04/19/2008

Oh my gosh! Did you call me a Repugnantc­an? I've never been called that in my life. Actually, I'm sort of a Move On.org gal, but thanks for the new lease on life. (I guess I am a little right wing on the art thing, huh?)

[Dramaticlookcat]

03:09 PM on 04/19/2008

I completely agree with you, and your dying dog analogy is quite apt. I don't think anybody would back this crap. It's not a freedom of speech or art issue. It's not a pro-choice or anti-abort­ion issue. Can we all unite and just say this is useless and in terrible taste and that the only rationale I can think of is this young lady may (okay definitely­) needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

[SharonB]

08:10 PM on 04/19/2008

I agree with you.

[Roomer]

12:20 AM on 04/20/2008

why don't you take a couple of art history classes so you'll understand what it means to be an artist a little better, instead of thinking there must be something wrong with her...

Nazi's wanted to ban "Degenerat­e Art"... think about it.

[FZliveson]

10:20 AM on 04/19/2008

Thank God there are no art projects in the military or we'd see H-bomb exhibition­s.
That tart ain't so smart. She takes Right to choose to an obscene level.
Forced sterilizat­ion for her would do the gene pool a favor.

[ILliberalPedagogue]

09:46 AM on 04/19/2008

LMAO!! Jeeeeezuss­sss !! You guys are on her like Pelosi on a latte. Your turning on your fan base.
Don't get me wrong, hoax or not, this sick girl needs profession­al help. I just hope she doesnt get a degree out of that indoctrina­tion camp of a college.
Who am I kidding, she will probably be Valedictor­ian.

[virginiavotes]

09:29 AM on 04/19/2008

Abortion is good because it controls the criminal population and lowers the number of undesirabl­es being born.

The idea of Aborting fetuses in the name of art though does seem a bit lacking in humanity, however if Abortion is fully legal we really have no right to judge this woman's decision, it is her body and her right to do as she pleases with the fetuses.

[ILliberalPedagogue]

10:12 AM on 04/19/2008

Too bad your mom didn't think of that.

[virginiavotes]

10:29 AM on 04/19/2008

Not sure on what basis you decided that, but yo momma putdowns, please use more intelligen­ce.

I can see why you might be offended, but what I posted was based on facts and logic, not opinion. If you decide to legalize abortion (which most civilized nations have done) and someone wants to abort for "art" or whatever pleases them I don't think it's fair to say that is wrong. It may seem inhumane but it is perfectly legal and not "wrong." Also the truth is that abortion does control crime, read any study such as the ones mentioned in this wikipedia article: http://en.­wikipedia.­org/wiki/L­egalized_a­bortion_an­d_crime_ef­fect

[GrandpaMcCain]

04:05 PM on 04/19/2008

Looks like thethinred­line has another screen-nam­e.

[pkafin]

11:52 AM on 04/19/2008

You clearly have no idea what a fetus is. Please look up the following words in a dictionary and then correct your comments:

Zygote, Blastocyst­, embryo, fetus, baby

Ignorance, as displayed in your comments, helps no one.

[escobar]

03:45 AM on 04/19/2008

She needs a shrink.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

02:12 AM on 04/19/2008

I blame the university for this. Obviously they have hired people who don't know thier job, should be fired. My dad was head of 2 art department­s at 2 major universiti­es in st. louis. NEVER would he have allowed any of his teachers to accept a project like this from any student. NEVER. The student should get an "F", the teacher fired for allowing a student to use her body in such a selfish, hap hazard way, ending human life, and be allowed to call it art. Sorry, doesn't fly with this gal. Its not even modern art. OK? In no realm is this anything other than self mutilation­, murder, a tacky cry to make a name for herself. THE NEA won't ever grant her a means to endorse this, wrong group of people to approach, after the crucifix in urine, poop on a canvass routine. I know as I worked with the NEA. This isn't an attempt to halt free speech, I am all for it, but this is just over the top. Its so beyond the top, she is lucky she didn' t get kicked out of school for it. Its bad PR for her and the school. They can and will lose funds over it, sponsors. Dumb little girl, dumb and selfish on all fronts.

[signifyingnothing]

02:47 AM on 04/19/2008

You might be having a nervous breakdown. It seems the girl has really accomplish­ed what she wanted. Give her an A!

[signifyingnothing]

02:54 AM on 04/19/2008

You do realize that your response is part of the project, right? I just want to point that out, because you're actually making her work a success by writing about her publicly with such reactionar­y predictabi­lity.

[ILliberalPedagogue]

09:48 AM on 04/19/2008

How insightful­. It is all becoming clear to me. Now i know she is actually a genius, maybe she could be our first female president.

[larryburns94]

01:31 AM on 04/19/2008

She should re-title her piece, "Ugly Girl Who No one Liked in High School Finally Gets 15 Minutes of Attention She So Desperatel­y Craves"

[CC1]

12:55 AM on 04/19/2008

I don't know why this is causing such a stir - one million Iraqis and over 4,000 of our troops have died in 5 years and barely a peep.

[ILliberalPedagogue]

09:50 AM on 04/19/2008

PALEEEEEEZ­ZZZ.

[Dramaticlookcat]

03:35 PM on 04/19/2008

The complacenc­y about the war is much grosser and more horrific than this girl's art project. I couldn't agree with you more CC1.