Some Pigeons Are More
Equal Than Othersin collaboration with Julian Charrière | Copenhagen, Venice, 2012
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.
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | apparatus, mixed media, 80 x 25 x 40 cm
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet prints, 36 x 27 cm each
Installation view Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet prints, 36 x 27 cm each
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, 2012 | inkjet print, 36 x 27 cm
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)
Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others, Venice, 2012 (process photo)