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I’ve Made A Fine Art Museum For My Guinea Pig, And She Seems To Have Enjoyed It
What happens when you have ample free time and need to distract yourself from uncontrollable life events? Well, you create an art gallery for your pet (naturally). I was inspired by the gerbil art museum created by Filippo and Marianna. I’ve seen just one screenshot of the museum posted on Imgur and was immediately motivated to create some art for my own furry rodent friend. I needed a project I could channel all of my energy into. My boyfriend is in the hospital due to a non-COVID-19-related medical emergency. I can’t visit him and needed to keep busy.
And so I got to work. I’ve recreated some famous works of art, replacing the people with guinea pigs. I drew from my knowledge of art history and previous museum visit experiences. When I was setting up the museum, I kept thinking about the Met in New York City. The creaky hardwood floors and tall ceilings. Heavy gold frames. That’s what I tried to emulate as I created the Piggenheim.
You be the judge. Take a tour of the exhibition below!
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The Piggenheim Museum
Once the gallery was set up, it was ready for visitors. More specifically, one very special visitor. Maisie, a 2-year-old guinea pig, was adopted from the Franklin Township Animal Shelter in New Jersey in September of 2018. I volunteer at the shelter regularly. I actually adopted Maisie to be my class pet at school! My students loved her. For various reasons, she stayed at home this school year. Maisie is a really sweet pig with a great personality. She’s very tolerant, which I attribute to her spending most of her formative months in a classroom full of 19 rambunctious 6-year-olds.
Treachery, indeed!
Maisie did not carrot all for this deception.
There was much chittering at the Picasso
Maisie certainly appreciated the exhibit. She spent time at each miniature work of art. Maisie nibbled on the frame of the Kahlo. I’m not sure if that was her saying she liked it or hated it. She was also very intrigued by the Lichtenstein and the Magritte. She did not seem to care for the Picasso because she chittered at it a lot!
Maisie needs a hair ribbon like that
This was after museum staff scolded her for sampling the picture frame
I took photos and video clips of Maisie gazing at the artwork. Then, I sent the clips to my best friend Emily Wolf, an influencer located in Los Angeles, who turned them into a TikTok. We are both really proud of the product created! This project really helped me get through a tough time. I would like to create another experience for Maisie, but I haven’t decided what just yet.
How we all feel internally?
Hay farmers, for sure
A trio of classic beauties!
Random trivia time! Here are some fun and not-so-fun facts about guinea pigs. Guinea pigs or domestic guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), also known as cavy or domestic cavy, despite their common name, are not native to Guinea, nor are they related to pigs. The origin of the name eludes us still… They were originally bred as livestock, and they still are. Guinea pigs don’t exist in the wild. The guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household and pocket pet since they arrived in Europe in the 16th century through traders. Their docile nature, friendly responses, and low-maintenance care requirements make them great conquerors of people’s hearts.
Posing with the classics
She truly appreciates fine art
No, that is not a wig, that is a guinea pig!
Pig with Hair Ribbon
Cavy Dream
Self Portrait dedicated to Dr. DooLittle
The Birth of Guinea Pig
The Treachery of Vegetables
The French is inaccurate and should read “Ceci n’est pas une carotte”
The Rodent Lisa
The Pig with the Pearl Earring
The Wheet
Cochon d’Inde au Béret Orange
American Cavy
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What do you think ?
Lisa Cheesmond 5 years ago
Very cute. To the people who criticize the fact the piggy is alone. I have at times had single guineas, after the loss of their friend., some will not bond with another Guinea. Some will. Some will live as neighbours but not together. I have just adopted a single piggy from a very, very well run British Cavy Rescue centre. She was gvenn to them as she would not get along with the owner's other pigs. The rescue tried her with many of the group's in the rescue even with a nutered male. The rescue has a high succeess rate bonding adult pigs.But she just will not tolerate another Guinea pig.
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
Guinea pigs should not be alone. Do as Scruffy says. It makes what you've done irrelevant as you are not thinking of your pet first.
April Koonce 5 years ago
If you would all ease up on the creator! She clearly loves Maisie & has for 2 years. She said she volunteers at a shelter, she adopted didn't purchase and clearly didn't leave the pig at school to fend for herself. She has roam time obvi so leave her be. I have a bonded pair of boys & my one only tolerates the younger one cuz i beg him to. I have contemplated splitting them up but the younger one squeals when his big brother is gone for too long. If a single cavy is an only pet and especially during these times is getting plenty of attention, leave it be. I've had buns & pigs for over 20 years & at times have had singles as well as pairs. I currently have 2 unbounded living in separate rooms. Just as some children are ok having siblings & some are fine being only's, our pets are the same. Each one has a unique personality and therefore, unique needs. Don't always jump to judge something that isn't the feelings of certain rescues or agencies. Thanks for sharing The Piggenheim & Maisie
littlesaresare 5 years ago
There's a pretty big difference between being an only child and being isolated in a cage your entire life with the only social interaction you get being giants picking you up. The idea of a guinea pig who wants to be alone is a concept made by humans to justify *their* choices. 99.9% of the time an aggressive pig doesn't have enough room, the right friend, or other stressors are involved.
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Nadja Kiiskinen 5 years ago
A fine arts museum for guinea pigs? Cool! But a single guinea pig living alone in a goddamn school classroom? NOT COOL. Please, check your facts about guinea pigs. 1. Guinea pigs are NOT to be kept alone, they are herd animals. 2. It's not a great idea to keep guinea pigs in a classroom anyway, but if you do, there need to be two of them, and they probably need more space than you afford in the classroom.. So, not recommendable at all. 3. Guinea pigs are not really low maintenance. If you think they are, you're most likely mistreating them. The worst part of keeping a lone guinea pig as classroom pet is that you are giving a really bad example to the kids and teaching them to mistreat animals and ignore their needs. This is one of the major reasons why there are so many guinea pigs in need of rescue.
Birgit Schmidt 5 years ago
In some European countries they have very good animal laws. In Switzerland it would not be allowed to keep just one animal of the breed. So please have a neutered man beside or another girl - whatever your own guinea pig is......
Lisa Cheesmond 5 years ago
Very cute. To the people who criticize the fact the piggy is alone. I have at times had single guineas, after the loss of their friend., some will not bond with another Guinea. Some will. Some will live as neighbours but not together. I have just adopted a single piggy from a very, very well run British Cavy Rescue centre. She was gvenn to them as she would not get along with the owner's other pigs. The rescue tried her with many of the group's in the rescue even with a nutered male. The rescue has a high succeess rate bonding adult pigs.But she just will not tolerate another Guinea pig.
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
Guinea pigs should not be alone. Do as Scruffy says. It makes what you've done irrelevant as you are not thinking of your pet first.
April Koonce 5 years ago
If you would all ease up on the creator! She clearly loves Maisie & has for 2 years. She said she volunteers at a shelter, she adopted didn't purchase and clearly didn't leave the pig at school to fend for herself. She has roam time obvi so leave her be. I have a bonded pair of boys & my one only tolerates the younger one cuz i beg him to. I have contemplated splitting them up but the younger one squeals when his big brother is gone for too long. If a single cavy is an only pet and especially during these times is getting plenty of attention, leave it be. I've had buns & pigs for over 20 years & at times have had singles as well as pairs. I currently have 2 unbounded living in separate rooms. Just as some children are ok having siblings & some are fine being only's, our pets are the same. Each one has a unique personality and therefore, unique needs. Don't always jump to judge something that isn't the feelings of certain rescues or agencies. Thanks for sharing The Piggenheim & Maisie
littlesaresare 5 years ago
There's a pretty big difference between being an only child and being isolated in a cage your entire life with the only social interaction you get being giants picking you up. The idea of a guinea pig who wants to be alone is a concept made by humans to justify *their* choices. 99.9% of the time an aggressive pig doesn't have enough room, the right friend, or other stressors are involved.
Load More Replies... Nadja Kiiskinen 5 years ago
A fine arts museum for guinea pigs? Cool! But a single guinea pig living alone in a goddamn school classroom? NOT COOL. Please, check your facts about guinea pigs. 1. Guinea pigs are NOT to be kept alone, they are herd animals. 2. It's not a great idea to keep guinea pigs in a classroom anyway, but if you do, there need to be two of them, and they probably need more space than you afford in the classroom.. So, not recommendable at all. 3. Guinea pigs are not really low maintenance. If you think they are, you're most likely mistreating them. The worst part of keeping a lone guinea pig as classroom pet is that you are giving a really bad example to the kids and teaching them to mistreat animals and ignore their needs. This is one of the major reasons why there are so many guinea pigs in need of rescue.
Birgit Schmidt 5 years ago
In some European countries they have very good animal laws. In Switzerland it would not be allowed to keep just one animal of the breed. So please have a neutered man beside or another girl - whatever your own guinea pig is......
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