To train the elephant to move the brush to create stroke patterns that we recognize as flowers, trees, or even an elephant, the mahouts use these painful prods to guide the elephant’s movements. Further if an elephant paints incorrectly, they are beaten, either with a bull hook, or physically hit on their head or trunk. When this skill is mastered, the elephant will be expected to recreate the same pattern every single day, sometimes twice or even three times. Naturalist, Desmond Morris bore witness to an elephant painting show in Thailand, looking to discern whether elephants could really create paintings at their own will, based on their individual creative talents. From his observation, the mahout kept a tight grip on the elephants ear for the entire performance, tugging either right or left to manipulate the elephant into making a certain brush stroke.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:16:06 +0000
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