Does involvement need interaction?

This question came up while looking back through my blog, and having one article strike me. The window display article by cosmetics company LUSH and the window stage demonstration against animal testing.

It brought the questions of HOW and WHY the shoppers stopped to watch...was it because they saw movement?

A animal rights campaign?

A show?

But WHY did it engage them?......... Did it involve  them? Psychologically? Emotionally? 

But they didn't hear or touch the actors...it was merely a spectacle...so could it really have made a connection with the audience?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/27/lush-animal-cruelty-performance-art

the most disturbing window display....ever.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134555/Lush-animal-testing-protest-Woman-subjected-experiments-horrified-shoppers.html

This was the most disturbing window display I've ever heard of.
Im all for the against animal testing subject but did they really have to bring it to attention this way?

I think that window displays are becoming more and more of platform to promote political statements and understandings. They are acting more of a theory or position promoting platform than that of just a store or brand promotion platform. Should i consider this in my design? What political aspect would fit in with my design?

As well as disturbing and very influential I found this article to be most inspiring, as to that window displays can indeed have a higher calling and help to promote important issues and not just for consumer promoting needs!!