ER-0734/2009
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I.E.S. PABLO DE OLAVIDE
LA CAROLINA (JAÉN)
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
2ºBACH UNIT TEST 1
C.E: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.1, 4.3, 4,4
/100P
NAME: _____________________________________________________________________
READING (C.E: 3.1, 3.2, 4.2) 40P
Animals as
artists
A The question of whether animals can create art is a very hard one to answer. Generally speaking, we like to think that
humans are on a completely different level to other species, and most anthropologists would say that the ability to create
art is one of the reasons why we are superior. But are animals creative when it comes to art? For me, the answer is a
clear and definite ‘no’. Nevertheless, there are plenty of claims about the animal world that suggest that they are.
B In 1957, a chimpanzee called Congo was shown painting a picture on a TV programme hosted by zoologist, Desmond
Morris. Since then, we have had painting horses, dogs and rhinos, even whales and sea lions. Congo himself remains
quite a celebrity – long a fter his death. In 2005, three of his works sold for over $25,000 – the highest amount paid for
paintings done by an animal. Then, in 2019, a London gallery put 55 works on display – all done by Congo in the 1950s.
Art collectors could snap up an original ‘Congo’ for less than $2000.
C Morris made a convincing case for animals as artists. While admitting that some of Congo’s brushstrokes were
mimicking ac ts that he per formed in the wild (such as clearing an area to make a nest), he said th at the animal’s
behaviour was unusual. For instance, the chimp refused to have the paper taken away from him u ntil he had finished,
suggesting that he had an idea and he wanted to stick with it. Similarly, no amount of encouragement from Morris could
persuade Congo to continue working on a painting that the chimp considered complete. Morris points to one work that he
feels shows true art. The painting is called Split Fan Pattern with Central Black Spot, and Morris believes that in this
painting Congo changed the composition and, for the first time, made an artistic decision to explore the possibilities on the
paper.
D In my opinion, all the animals above are guided by or have their work facilitated by humans. Although I am intrigued by
the work of people like Morris, I don’t think animals can get inspiration from their surroundings or from their imagination. In
almost every case, we are showing them what to do. Now, you might say that humans, too, need to have lessons before
they can be great painters. However, we have to ask, ‘Would an animal pick up a paintbrush and create a work of art on
its own?’ In answer to that, I would say that yes, an animal might pick up a paintbrush, but the result of its efforts is not
‘art’ because the animal didn’t set out to make a rt, have an idea and follow it through to the end. Paintings done by
animals might resemble primitive human art. However, I think the similarities are just a coincidence.
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