Speciesist approaches in plastic arts: Bee

In this study, the bee, one of the many animals that have been turned into commodities, has been investigated in the context of speciesism in the plastic arts. The conceptual framework of the research is based on the concept of speciesism and anti-speciesist approaches. The domination of other species by the self-centered approach of man draws parallels in creating other othernesses. Therefore, the scope of the research has been handled through the common denominator between racism, sexism and finally speciesism. The animal rights theories of Tom Regan, Gary L. Francione and Steven Best, who built animal rights to protect the rights of all living things, will be examined and the anti-speciesist understanding will be emphasized. In the literature review, bees formed the motivation and primary focus of the research, ironically defined as "cooperation with bees". This anthropocentric, speciesist viewpoint, which proceeds through the speciesist approach by exploiting the life cycle of bees and their bodies, is problematized and the findings of this research are included in the study through eighteen selected works. Therefore, the reflection of speciesism on art through these selected works constitutes the problem of the research. This exploitation of bees in the field of art has been handled with a multi-layered understanding through the criticism provided by today's postmodern understanding, and the readings of the works have been handled from the point of vegan thought, which is an anti-speciesist approach in this context.