Author Topic: Elephant Paints Self Portrait  (Read 627 times)

Offline Xargos

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4281
Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« on: March 30, 2008, 09:09:07 AM »
This just floored me when I first saw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE
Jeffery R."Xargos" Ward

"At least I have chicken." 
Member DFC

Offline Ripsnort

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 27260
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2008, 09:16:12 AM »
So the question here is:
Do you think he has self-actualization that brings out the artist in him that drives him to paint himself?
Or do you think its learned behavior (by a trainer)

The difference between animals and humans is upper level thinking, philosophy, that drives the artist in us.  I think this is learned behavior.

Offline Xargos

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4281
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2008, 09:18:07 AM »
Yep, so do I.  But it's still cool that he can do it.
Jeffery R."Xargos" Ward

"At least I have chicken." 
Member DFC

Offline midnight Target

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15114
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2008, 09:23:15 AM »
I think it's a fake.

Offline Holden McGroin

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8591
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2008, 09:25:19 AM »
The difference between animals and humans is upper level thinking, philosophy, that drives the artist in us. 

But that 1% DNA difference is ... how'd you put it?
Holden McGroin LLC makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information. Since humor, irony, and keen insight may be foreign to some readers, no warranty, expressed or implied is offered. Re-writing this disclaimer cost me big bucks at the lawyer’s office!

Offline SD67

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3218
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2008, 09:30:20 AM »
Trained or not, damn thing paints a better picture than I ever could :lol
9GIAP VVS RKKA
You're under arrest for violation of the Government knows best act!
Fabricati diem, punc
Absinthe makes the Tart grow fonder

Offline REP0MAN

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2305
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2008, 09:39:51 AM »
I think it's a fake.


One tinfoil hat for you sir.

I agree with Rip, while genuinely a live elephant completing the task; it's most likely a learned task.

:aok
Apparently, one in five people in the world are Chinese. And there are five people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mum or my dad. Or my older brother, Colin. Or my younger brother, Ho-Chan-Chu. But I think it's Colin. - Tim Vine.

Offline boxboy28

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2265
      • http://none
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2008, 10:18:26 AM »
I think the painting it self was obviously a learn behavior!  bt i would need to know more before i said that the elephant painted it self as it was self aware! it could be just painting the things it sees in its enviroment.

I dont doubt that animals have the capability to be self aware and have a conscience soul. Some animals its a bit more obvious in.
^"^Nazgul^"^    fly with the undead!
Jaxxo got nice tata's  and Lyric is Andre the giant with blond hair!

Offline texasmom

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6078
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2008, 11:39:14 AM »
The clip shows a man (toward the end) with a second easel ~ with the flowers on it. 

For each step along the painting, there are people who come up & show a picture of the "next step,"  which the elephant copies.

Does that make it any less wonderful?  Nope ~ sure was cool to watch that.
<S> Easy8
<S> Mac

Offline MORAY37

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2318
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2008, 12:15:48 PM »
That's pretty funny... of course it's learned.... just as it is in humans.

My girlfriend, who is a zookeeper, has a picture she watched an elephant paint, for her.  The particular zoo used painting as enrichment for its' elephants.  The elephant was given a brush with some paint colors spread around it.  It painted a picture of it's favorite "toy"....a tire that was hung on a tree.... that was in an entirely different enclosure, and out of view.

I found that very interesting, in itself.
"Ocean: A body of water occupying 2/3 of a world made for man...who has no gills."
-Ambrose Bierce

Offline texasmom

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6078
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2008, 12:19:10 PM »
That's cool  Moray :)
<S> Easy8
<S> Mac

Offline ASTAC

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1654
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2008, 02:08:16 PM »
Neat-O
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2008, 02:19:31 PM »
I heard his artwork sells for peanuts.

Mac

*runs for the door*

Offline Jackal1

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9092
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2008, 04:15:56 PM »
The elephant was given a brush with some paint colors spread around it.  It painted a picture of it's favorite "toy"....a tire that was hung on a tree

The elephant was probably just trying to get a message across.
"Grab some wheels baby and meet me at the front gate. We`re doing the town tonight."


Democracy is two wolves deciding on what to eat. Freedom is a well armed sheep protesting the vote.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Offline DieAz

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1439
Re: Elephant Paints Self Portrait
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2008, 07:35:27 PM »
I heard his artwork sells for peanuts.

Mac

*runs for the door*

that may be, but they seem to be all sold as fast as they are up for sale. http://store.exoticworldgifts.com/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Rare%20Finds
http://www.exoticworldgifts.com/

I would like to have one of those paintings.
simple, straight forward, elegantly done.
trained or not, they are masterpieces.