My piece displays an alternate reality, exhibiting what seems like a normal circus show but traditional roles are reversed and instead, humans provide entertainment for animals. My work is inspired and a critique of how people see animals and the unethical treatment of them. Visually, it is inspired by vintage circus shows that used animals as forms of entertainment, showing how these shows are not ethical but people are blinded by the “spectacle” it brings. These days, animals are played for laughs on social media to generate clicks, not much different than those old circuses. The circus tent and environment is painted realistically, while the subjects are stylized, playing off the alternate-reality theme. I also added blanked-out lines atop of the circus performers, alluding how they’re being forced to participate.