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VIDEO: Live Chickens Wear Fluorescent Feathers in TriBeCa, Because ... Art

By Irene Plagianos | November 19, 2015 6:19pm | Updated on November 20, 2015 7:50am
 A chicken coop has popped up in TriBeCa, part of artist Laura Lima's performance art.
A chicken coop has popped up in TriBeCa, part of artist Laura Lima's performance art.
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Performa

Artistically speaking, TriBeCa is for the birds.

Brazilian artist Laura Lima has transformed an empty TriBeCa storefront at 101 Leonard St. into something of a stylish chicken coop — where humans will be partying with feathered friends.

 

#Performa15 Commission and Brazilian artist #LauraLima now live at 350 Broadway 🐓🐓🐓

A photo posted by Performa (@performanyc) on

The installation, sponsored by Performa 15 — a performance art festival with several events throughout the city — includes more than a dozen chickens, adorned with a variety of bright colored feather extensions, all milling about on hay, inside a specially designed coop.

 

A chicken party! They are getting ready for #galachicken this Sunday #lauralima

A video posted by Sara Huang (@saraelevator) on

So what exactly is going on? Part of it is about observing the interactions of the chickens that apparently change their behavior when the bright plumage — meant to be reminiscent of Carnival in Lima's native Brazil — is stuck on to them, the artist told Artspace magazine.

For those wondering about the welfare of the fancified chickens, rest assured that the glue used is non-toxic and similar to the adhesive used when applying hair extensions. The faux feathers naturally fall off in about 10 days, perhaps before the chickens head back to their usual, less arty lives: they're on loan from a community garden in Crown Heights.

The installation, which opened Tuesday, is gearing up for a party Saturday night, which adds another layer to the artwork. Lima is combining the dressed up chickens, a work she calls "Gala Chickens," with another piece called "Ball,"  — a big soiree with music, drinks and costumes, which look as though they were from 16th century France.

People are free to put on the various costumes while partying in the presence of chickens.

Lima says her art is not about her performing, but about creating an unusual space for people (and chickens) to do their own thing and just let the unexpected happen. 

“I am constructing an atmosphere for others to perform,” she told Artsy. "I want people to have fun.” 

If you want to check out the chickens, the space is open from 1 to 7 p.m., through Sunday. It's free, but you need to need to RSVP here to get in.

That big party with costumes is also free — but already all booked up.