Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, a trained composer and artist has just launched his latest art installation at the Barbican in London — a walk through aviary with 40 zebra finches, all of whom are living a very rock and roll existence indeed. With not a bird feeder in sight, these little finches live amongst electric guitars and cymbals, composing music as they perch and hop around the gallery, much to the amusement of passer-bys.
Having been interested in birds for many years, Boursier-Mougenot wanted to work with finches to investigate the question of what music is. He told the Guardian newspaper: “If you want to understand a creature then you have to interact with it. Here, I am not using the birds, I am collaborating with them.”
When the installation finishes in May, the birds will return to their former career as ‘animal actors’ (who knew birds could lead such glamorous lives?) but in the meantime, they continue to amuse and fascinate Londoners with their musical skills. Who know maybe a record deal is in the works?
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s aviary continues through May 23.
Photo by Lip Kee via Flickr.
