A meeting scheduled for today at the San Francisco Art Institute, called to address the artistic merit of animals being killed in a recent exhibit, was canceled over the weekend because of safety fears.

The Examiner first reported that animal-rights advocates were upset with the exhibit and had called for its removal. But, according to Art Institute officials, complaints turned to threats, and the exhibit was canceled.

The art school opened the “Don’t Trust Me” exhibit Oct. 19 at the Walter and McBean Galleries on Chestnut Street. The exhibit, by Paris-based artist Adel Abdessemed, consists of video screens that show six animals being struck and killed by a hammer.