Banksy Sets up Pet Shop with Self-Dipping Chicken Nuggets and Swimming Fish Sticks
Welcome back!
You’ll never perceive chicken nuggets in the same way again once you’ve checked out the British graffiti artists’ new animatronics installation — an exhibit featuring the contradictory ways in which people see and use animals at Banksy’s “Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill.”
The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill: Chicken Nuggets
The subversive artist’s ‘pet shop’ features a pair of chicken nuggets — two bite-sized deep-fried ‘chickens’ pecking at a packet of ketchup while watched over by mother hen.
A sign in front of the store reads, “Open for Pet Supplies / Rare Breeds / Mechanically retrieved meat.”
You’re greeted by a children’s dolphin ride on the sidewalk which features the creature wrapped in a fishing net to represent the ‘catch of the day.’
Chicken Nuggets. Photo Mario Tama / Getty Images
White rabbit in pearls, filing her nails. Photo Robert Stolarik / New York Times
Fish Sticks. Photo FYC Gallery
In the store-front window, a large furry object is perched on a tree branch swinging its tail in a zoo enclosure — an ingeniously arranged fake fur coat characterized as a leopard.
A rabbit wearing a pearl necklace files her nails in a window, and a robotic monkey sits in a cage inside the store wearing headphones, holding a remote, and watching some fellow monkeys in an amorous moment on TV.
Hot dogs and sausages squirm about in sand filled terrariums, and another installation reveals two fish fingers swimming gently around in a goldfish bowl.
The animatronic displays are real pet supplies, packages of luncheon meat and odd food items, such as cans of quail eggs and Hormel pork tidbits.
Leopard. Photo Mario Tama / Getty Images
Hot dogs. Photo Mario Tama / Getty Images
Hot dogs. Photo Robert Stolarik / New York Times
“I wanted to make art that questioned our relationship with animals and the ethics and sustainability of factory farming.” Banksy said in a statement. “But it ended up as chicken nuggets singing.”
“The subject matter of these kitsch animal scenes with a bite are very much in line with the humor in his other work.” Said Stephan Ludwig, currently preparing for an Urban Art Sale at Dreweatts auctioneers in London, which will contain 11 Banksies.
In recent years his graffiti has become so valuable that the surfaces on which they were completed have been removed and the work sold.
Mr. Ludwig, chairman of Dreweatts, thought that Banksy could have moved into sculpture “partly in response to his street work being taken off the streets and sold at auction.”
Tweety Bird. Photo Robert Stolarik / New York Times
Dolphin ride. Photo Robert Stolarik / New York Times
Monkey watching TV. Photo Mario Tama / Getty Images
The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill is Banksy’s first official exhibition in New York, and will be open to the public daily through October 31st at 89, Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village, New York.
Banksy’s Village Pet Store And Charcoal Grill
Banksy White Rabbit
Banksy Leopard
Banksy Monkey
Banksy Hot Dogs
Banksy Fish Fingers
Sources: Telegraph and New York Times
Related stories:
Banksy Graffiti Artwork Auctioned on eBay
A recommended read on Banksy at WebUrbanist:
Banksy Art and Graffiti: The Ultimate Guide
Very intriguing and a little creepy at the same time. What really creeped me out was the tweedy bird sadly perched with the feathers plucked off. It looks so real.
The bunny was really cute and the monkey was very life-like as well, looked like many people I know who zone out in front of the tv.
[...] leave a comment » Banksy Sets up Pet Shop with Self-Dipping Chicken Nuggets and Swimming Fish Sticks [...]
That is Frigging Hilarious!!
can’t wait to see PETA + Pamela Anderson Kid Rock Lee’s reaction!!
;PPP Peace*
hahaha…very funny..
Good info, I’ll definetly be recommending this site to my friends and famil who like historic things and nature.
Awe.Some. As the poster on this site who often carries on about our treatment of animals and our society’s weird views on the topic, y’all have to realize that this is COMPLETELY up my alley!
Funny, disturbing and sad all at the same time. Very thought provoking.
If I was investing, I’d prefer art that you could stick under your arm and run with when then Nazis hit town.
Just a suggestion.
Interesting photographs.. I don’t think I’ll ever look at fish sticks the same!
ew… that just made me feel sick looking at that :/
-jason
How does anyone come up with an idea like that?
I like the chicken nuggets and the hot dogs. Just the way they are set up but it kind of makes me not want to eat chicken nuggets anymore lol
This post made me want chicken nuggets.
Good info, I’ll definetly be recommending this site to my friends and family who like historic things and nature.
Great piece!
Makes you think about what your eating eh!
If you like Banksy news, I try to gather it all at my Blog:
http://banksyposters.ffxoh.com/
All the best,
Derrick
You have some great collections of Banksy on your site, Derrick. I think he’s one of the most ingenious artists of our times
I was wondering why there was videos at the end of this…and then I watched one and was amazed that they MOVED! The leopard looks completely real from the back…and I want to know how he made those fish sticks swim! It definitely changed the way I see things, and it changed what I’m having for lunch (not chicken nuggets!). Thanks!
The videos are definitely worth watching MonaVie
Banksy is one of the most ingenious artists of our time IMO.
They look so real…I feel sad for the leopard. It made me realize that we humans sometimes forget to think about the animals as long as we satisfy ourselves with what we want. We sometimes forget that an animal have to die in exchange for that fashionable and expensive fur coat. So depressing.
I drive past the famous Banksy Rat nearly every day. Just search for “liverpool banksy rat” Love the fish fingers despite being a veggie. He sure is talented.
Another great reminder that we forget about the animals often.
Man, I really want to get some pet fish fingers now. Some of these would make great novelty items.
Simon´s last blog ..The fastest flea treatment in town