SINGAPORE: A Singapore Art Museum exhibition has drawn criticism from the public. An installation using butterfly and bee specimens has attracted the concern of a local conservationist group.
109 butterflies were pierced neatly on dinner plates, supposedly
symbolising the relationship between the powerful and powerless in
Indonesia.
The installation belongs to Indonesian artist FX Harsono.
And it's being skewered by 40 members from an online social network
called, ButterflyCircle.
They're concerned the insects might have been deliberately killed.
Chir Chor Pang, conservationist & member, ButterflyCircle, said:
"It's a disgusting display of butterflies. There's no running away from
suspecting that these butterflies are pristine and live specimens -
purposely selected by the artist through his request, and mounted in the
fashion that they're presented."
But the museum said the artist had acquired the specimens from farms in
Indonesia.
Tan Boon Hui, director, Singapore Art Museum, said: "These were insects
collected at the end of their lives and immediately treated by a
taxidermist and formed into the posture or shape that he requires for
the installation."
Some visitors were not as affected.
"Even if it's ugly and it offends people, at least I know that this man
is trying to create a social or political message," said one visitor.
"He has not crossed any ethical boundaries because the bees and
butterflies were already dead before they were pierced," said another
visitor.
FX Harsono's exhibits have attracted 25,000 visitors since March and
will be on display till May.
- CNA/vm
Neh mind. When he dies, he cannot become shinigami cause no hell butterfly will want to follow him.
Other than that.... LOL
I believe the butterfiles came from a butterfly breeding farm in Indonesia or Malaysia, whereby they rear butterfiles and kill them for ornamental displays.
Those who go Malaysia and Indonesia, you know lah... Its a form of art... can buy them as souveniors.
Hmm. What's wrong with breeding buttahfliez for ornamental displays? We slaughter pigs, chickens, ducks, cows and all your farm animals on an hourly basis for our consumption what.