© 2022

Some Pigeons Are More
Equal Than Others
in collaboration with Julian Charrière | Copenhagen, Venice, 2012

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_Tauben_300dpi_retouched.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 (drawing of the apparatus)


Unusual, bright-colored birds were observed on the Piazza San Marco in the summer of 2012, and in Copenhagen in the same year similar birds were sighted, which largely maintained close proximity to pigeons. When looking at the birds more closely, observers realised with surprise that the animals were indeed pigeons— with dyed feathers. Julius von Bismarck and Julian Charrière developed an apparatus that was installed in public space to attract and trap pigeons. Once caught, the birds were sprayed with natural dyes of different colors before being released again into the city.


This infusion of colour lends a new dimension to the familiar experience of an encounter between a human and a bright-colored animal. The pigeon—at best considered an easily ignored carrier of disease and sign of urban cultural malaise—suddenly becomes an animal. The temporary and artificial alteration in the bird’s colouring is enough to bring about its renaturalisation.


https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_1golden-aparatus_retouched.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | apparatus, mixed media, 80 x 25 x 40 cm

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_SPAMETO_Anordnung_24,4MB_2012.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet prints, 36 x 27 cm each

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_viennafairstand3.jpg

Installation view Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_SPAMETO_3er_2013.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet prints, 36 x 27 cm each

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_SPAMETO_turquoise1_High_2013.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_SPAMETO_Pink Pigeon_Venedig_2012.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_13_Julian Charriere und Julius von Bismarck - Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others_2012 - Suite of 27 (copyright the artists_VG Bild-Kunst_Bonn_Germany).jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_JvB_SPAMETO_Einladung_2012.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_14_Julian Charriere und Julius von Bismarck - Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others_2012 - Suite of 27 (copyright the artists_VG Bild-Kunst_Bonn_Germany).jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_4_v3.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_5_v3.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_11greyish_reotuched.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

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Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)

https://juliusvonbismarck.com/bank/files/gimgs/th-21_14_v2.jpg

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)