Use of live chickens in National Gallery S'pore art show raises concerns for some, despite steps to protect the animals

SINGAPORE — The sound of clucking is not what you would expect walking into a museum, but at the National Gallery Singapore, several live chickens and chicks are featured as part of an exhibition, which opened on Friday (May 5).

The exhibition — called See Me, See You: Early Video Installation of Southeast Asia — recreates and showcases how various artists across the region first incorporated the use of video into their artwork during the 1980s and 1990s.

The artwork with the poultry is called How to Explain Art to a Bangkok Cock (1985) by a Thai artist, Dr Apinan Poshyananda. It features an unnamed person attempting to explain the famous artwork Mona Lisa to several live chicks and chickens.

The work's presentation here has already ruffled some feathers over whether it is appropriate to use live animals in an art exhibition, even though the poultry come from a rescue home that is using the exhibition to help raise its profile.

One visitor to the exhibition on Friday, Mr Shaun Moo, 31, a teacher, said: “I do still feel that animals aren’t meant to be displayed as an exhibition, and definitely not as an artwork."

Mr Moo was somewhat reassured by steps being taken by the gallery to ensure that the poultry are well taken care of and protected from disturbances such as flashlight photography by visitors.

A large sign advises visitors to avoid flash photography, to keep the volume of their talking low and to remain some distance from the artwork. A marking on the floor shows where they should stand when viewing it.

A security guard is also stationed at the artwork to keep visitors from going too close.

When some visitors did inadvertently cross the line during a visit by TODAY, a guard was quick to remind them of the safety guidelines put in place to protect the live animals.

In response to TODAY's queries, the gallery emphasised that "maintaining the welfare of the live poultry (is) our highest priority".

“Dr Poshyananda wanted to prompt audiences to think about the relationship between art and its public, and its audiences," it added.

The gallery was hoping to "bring the historical and original experience of the live poultry" alongside the video and components of the artwork to the exhibition, "true to how the work was first realised by the artist back in 1985".

The chickens and chicks were brought in on Wednesday (May 3) and will be part of the exhibition for three days from Friday.

Another gallery visitor, 20-year-old student Dimitri Timeo, expressed initial concern about the duration of the animals' stay.

"I’m happy to read that it is only for a short time, and that the animals are not for sale."

He added: "I’ve read that those animals are rescued, so this is definitely better than where they were before.”

Mr Moo said that his initial concern about the poultry had been assuaged.

Upon learning that the animals would get adequate food, water, shelter and warmth, he said: “I was a little bit curious as to whether or not they were really taking care of their animals well, but the signboard did explain well enough that the animals were well taken care of.''

He added: "With daily bedding changes, they look pretty comfy.”

However, even though the proper care of the animals made their use "more acceptable", to him, "I still wouldn't encourage it".

Mr William Lian, general manager of Chicken Rescue Rehome, said that he has worked very closely with the gallery to ensure that the public’s concerns for the animals' welfare were addressed.

“We are very happy to collaborate with National Gallery Singapore," he told TODAY. "This partnership provides a unique opportunity to showcase our organisation, Chicken Rescue Rehome, and to increase awareness of our mission to rescue and rehome chickens.

"By bringing attention to our cause through this collaboration, we hope to inspire the public to support our efforts and join us in creating a more compassionate world for these beautiful animals.”

Mr Lian will be talking about responsibly caring for chickens to a limited audience in the Spine Hall of the National Gallery Singapore on Saturday at 11am.

The exhibition runs until Sept 17, but the live chicks and chickens will be there only until Sunday.