VIVIEN LEA MISCH

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Chicken Casket

A Critique of Factory Farming

Feburary 2020 Material: Clay, glaze, chicken wings 
30x60x40 cm

This ceramic sculpture created to address and critique the conditions of factory farming, specifically focusing on the mass production of poultry. The sculpture consists of two parts: a base and a removable top. The top part can be lifted to reveal a compartment where actual chicken wings can be placed, making a direct connection between the art piece and its real-life counterpart.

The sculpture draws inspiration from historical Baroque ceramics, where dishware was often crafted to resemble food items. This historical reference is used to juxtapose the contemporary issue of industrial poultry farming, emphasizing the contrast between the artistic representation of food and the realities of mass production.

The ceramic surface is finished with a hand-applied glaze that is intended to reflect the harsh conditions experienced by factory-farmed chickens. The texture and appearance of the glaze are designed to evoke the discomfort and suffering associated with intensive poultry farming practices, such as overcrowding and rapid growth."Chicken Casket" combines artistic design with a critical examination of factory farming practices, utilizing historical references and contemporary issues to create a thought-provoking commentary on the treatment of poultry in industrial agriculture.




Process Overview:


  1. Conceptualization and DesignThe project began with a conceptual framework that combined a critique of industrial poultry farming with a historical reference to food-shaped ceramics from the Baroque era. The goal was to create a powerful visual and tactile representation of the issues inherent in factory farming, while also paying homage to traditional ceramic artistry.
  2. Sculpture DevelopmentThe sculpture was sculpted in clay, meticulously shaped to represent a factory-farmed chicken. Attention was given to capturing the distinctive features and proportions of such chickens, which suffer from severe health issues due to their rapid growth and confined living conditions.
  3. Glazing and Finishing The glazing process involved applying a hand-crafted glaze that visually represents the suffering and discomfort experienced by factory-farmed chickens. This glaze was intentionally designed to reflect the harsh conditions of industrial poultry farming, such as the presence of harmful ammonia and the severe overcrowding that affects the health of the chickens.
  4. Assembly and Presentation After firing, the two parts of the sculpture were exhibited in Feburary 2020. The removable top section allows for the serving of real chicken wings, making a direct commentary on the consumption and presentation of poultry in the context of factory farming. The final piece was completed with a focus on both its artistic expression and its capacity to provoke thought about animal welfare.

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