Artist Talk: Koen Vanmechelen, "Cosmopolitan Chicken Project" 

Belgian conceptual artist Koen Vanmechelen is internationally renowned for his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project. His work, an ode to life, revolves around two major themes: biocultural diversity and identity. Vanmechelen interbreeds domestic chickens from different countries, aiming at the creation of a true cosmopolitan chicken as a symbol for global diversity. Vanmechelen uses a diverse range of media to communicate his core idea, from expressive paintings and drawings, to photography, video, glassware, performance and sculpture. The unifying theme is the chicken and the egg, symbols that link scientific, political, philosophical and ethical issues.