Earlier this week I wrote about United Airlines refusing to allow a woman to bring her peacock onboard as an emotional service animal. New details have emerged about the passenger and her bird.
The incident occurred last Sunday at Newark’s Liberty International Airport. The peacock, named Dexter, belongs to “New York City-based photographer and performance artist” Ventiko. She was trying to fly to Los Angeles.
Ventiko has a website, describing her work and credentials–
Ventiko is a critically acclaimed conceptual artist working in photography, performative experiences and social practice. Her work focuses on the (re)construction of moments not in time but in thought to express social positions on sexuality, persona and the state of the modern woman.
Venitko’s works have been exhibited and experienced internationally including at the Korean International Art Fair (Seoul, Korea), Sluice London, Busan (Seoul, Korea), Photo L.A., UNTLD BCN (Barcelona, SP), Select Art Fair (Miami and NYC), Satellite Art Fair (Miami), Coohaus (Chelsea, NY), Shirin Gallery (Chelsea, NY), Casa Quien (Santo Domingo, DR), Performatorio (Puerto Plata, Cabarete, DR), Project for Empty Space, (NJ), M.O.M.A. (NY), TATE Modern (London, UK) among others.
A United Airlines spokesman told me that the peacock did not meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its weight and size.
We explained this to the customer on three separate occasions before they arrived at the airport.
So in a sense, this became a publicity stunt.
Dexter and Ventiko ended up driving to Los Angeles…
Interesting! Any word yet on whether or not she got a refund for the additional seat she allegedly bought for the bird? I’m starting to think whole thing was a publicity stunt not only for artist, but for United to roll out its new policy.
Good question. I’ll ask United.
“Critically-acclaimed” conceptual artist?
Is that like being a “legend in your own mind”?
This person is as crazy and ridiculous as I expected her to be when reading the story earlier this week. Feels good to be right about people sometimes.
Publicity stunt on both sides.
Nobody in the world will dispute that a peacock should not be allowed on a plane, so UA justified in making changes. And I’m sure it made news in the “art” world, so her “acclaim” has risen.
Hooray for all involved.
+1 Finally a reaccommodation with a happy ending!
What a dumb c.