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