Banksy’s Pet Shop Open in NY

Prankster/graffiti artist Banksy opened the Village Pet Store And Charcoal Grill in NYC yesterday. The tiny storefront installation, which is his first show in NY, runs through October 31. An article in the UK Independent offers more details about the show, including this statement from the artist: “I wanted to make art that questioned our relationship with animals and the ethics and sustainability of factory farming but it ended up as chicken nuggets singing.”

Though the only animation-related piece is the “aged Tweety” animatronic (picture above), the entire show should strike a chord with anybody who loves animation. The animatronics (including chicken nuggets, hot dogs, fish sticks, a make-up applying rabbit and a horny monkey) move in funny and unexpected ways that bring to mind an animator’s eye for detail. It’s also worth noting that the mechanics and the fabrication of the animatronics are top-notch Hollywood quality. (During my visit, I overheard from an insider that a large team of modelmakers and technicians was employed in producing the animatronics).

It’s located at 89 7th Avenue (between West 4th and Bleeker) in Greenwich Village. If you can’t make it, videos of the animatronics can be seen on the show’s website.