Koen Vanmechelen

Koen Vanmechelen (born August 26, 1965 in Sint-Truiden) is an internationally acclaimed Belgian multi- and transdisciplinary artist who began his career in the early 1990s. He is one of the most prolific and prominent contemporary artists in Belgium. His ground-breaking work deals with biocultural diversity and identity. Central to his oeuvre is the chicken, which, through his projects, is revealed as both an artwork and a metaphor for society. By bringing together and exploring the interplay between art, science and philosophy in his work, Vanmechelen reflects upon our global heritage and examines the way that we choose to live and evolve. Multi-disciplinary scientific collaborations and community engagement are integral to Vanmechelen's approach.

Koen Vanmechelen
Koen Vanmechelen with the Golden Nica for The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project at the Prix Ars Electronica 2013
Born	25 August 1965 Sint-Truiden
Nationality	Belgian
Known for	Multi-disciplinary art
Notable work	Cosmopolitan Chicken (Research) Project, Walking Egg, Cosmogolem
Movement	Conceptual art
Awards	honorary citizen of Sint-Truiden, doctor honoris causa at the University of Hasselt, Golden Nica Hybrid Art, Best Artwork award from ISMB

Vanmechelen's work first gained worldwide recognition in the late nineties, with the launch of his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP),[1] an artistic crossbreeding project with chickens. Since its inception nearly twenty years ago, the resulting art work has been shown in exhibitions all over the world. It has also attracted growing interest amongst scientists. Each successive generation of the CCP has proven to be more resilient, longer living, less susceptible to disease, and less aggressive than the previous one. In collaboration with the University of Leuven, the Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project (CC®P) now studies the genetic make-up of the various CCP crossings and its potential implications for science. Vanmechelen's scientific collaborations have earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of Hasselt (2010) and the Golden Nica Hybrid Art award (2013).

Vanmechelen has several projects and foundations parallel to the CCP: The CosmoGolem,[2] The Walking Egg,[3] MOUTH, COMBAT, The Planetary Community Chicken (PCC), The Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project (CC®P),[4] and MECC, all of which he manages from his Open University of Diversity,.[5] In 2017, Koen Vanmechelen moved his studio and foundation headquarters to LABIOMISTA, situated in a former public zoo in the Belgian city of Genk.

The artist's work is an investigation of and an ode to the beautiful diversity and hybridity of life:

Every organism needs another organism to survive.

Vanmechelen often collaborates with scientists and experts from different disciplines, such as Jean-Jacques Cassiman, Rik Pinxten and Marleen Temmerman. Vanmechelen's art work is as diverse and hybrid as the Cosmopolitan Chicken itself: a unique mix of paintings, drawings, photography, innovative 3D-techniques, video, installations and wooden sculptures. The common visual theme throughout these various methods of expression are the chicken and the egg. These have, over the years, become important symbols to Vanmechelen, allowing the artist to interconnect scientific, philosophical, and ethical issues, and to frame the subject of debates and lectures.[6]

A new species of flat worm discovered in Venice (It) during the artist solo exhibition Nato a Venezia at the biennial of Venice was in 2013 named Trigonostomum Vanmecheleni in honour of the artist.[7][8]

Biography

Koen Vanmechelen lives in Meeuwen-Gruitrode, in the northeast of Belgium. He is an honorary citizen of his native town of Sint-Truiden. Since 2017, the artist has been based at his new studio, LABIOMISTA, built by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Occupying the grounds of a former public zoo in Genk, LABIOMISTA will open to the public in spring 2019. Alongside the artist's studio, it will host a culture and animal park, and an educational and research center, including the Open University of Diversity.

He is a self-taught artist who studied hotel management in Antwerp and worked several years as a cook and pastry chef in Belgian top restaurants. His father is an artist, his mother a fashion designer. Vanmechelen's interest in chickens and birds started at an early age, due to the trips he made with his uncle Louis Gonnissen, a famous Belgian ornithologist and television personality.[9] At the age of five, he says in an interview, he already had a breeding coop in his bedroom.[10]

Conservators Jan Kenis,[11] Jan Hoet and illustrator Gregie de Maeyer[12] launched him into the world of art in the early nineties. His first works consisted mainly of wooden constructions, assemblages and cages for birds. This aligns him with the Belgian tradition of assemblage artists. In the nineties, Vanmechelen quickly evolved into a conceptual artist and later on a multi-, trans- en interdisciplinary artist. During the late nineties, Vanmechelen launched his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP), which occupies a unique place in art history. It gave him fast national and international recognition in and outside the art world.

Despite his aviophobia, the artist has adopted a nomadic lifestyle. “Movement creates opportunities for transformation and mutation”, says the artist, who is always on the move and spends much of his time abroad. He is constantly trying to connect his projects to different realities planet wide, finding balances between art, science and the world. Vanmechelen: “I am trying to connect people and ideas, finding the right intersection of space and time to hatch the egg in the infinite collision of beautiful ‘accidents’ created by perpetual movement.” Hence Vanmechelen’s fascination for biological and cultural diversity, or biocultural diversity. Among the streams that facilitate the ebb and flow of endless motion, migrating people and other animals, he looks for the genes and memes that have always been gathering. Some of these he takes home. In his home base in Meeuwen-Gruitrode, he has collected scores of bird and other animals - and keeps more than one thousand chickens: Gallus Gallus, the 21 breeds of Mechelse hybrids and other species. In total, Vanmechelen has 3,000 chickens on eight farms on three continents.[13]

All of it flows from Vanmechelen’s belief that art belongs in society, engaging with people. The artist’s major on-going projects have a consistent community focus: Cosmogolem, a global art-based children’s rights project; the Walking Egg, a developing world fertility project; and Combat, a WW1 remembrance project. In 2011, the foundations supporting these works were grouped into a new institute called the Open University of Diversity.

In 2016, Vanmechelen launched his Planetary Community Chicken (PCC) project. As the new cross-breed is being introduced to underserved communities worldwide, the MOUTH foundation leads on the sustainable development aspects of the initiative. MOUTH is a not-for-profit organization set up by a group of European doctors and scientists in partnership with Vanmechelen in 2016. It brings together art, science and people to explore the applications and impact of biocultural diversity.

Vanmechelen has presented his work on almost every continent, from the U.S. to China and Iceland to Senegal. In Belgium his work has been shown at numerous museums and locations: the Verbeke Foundation, Watou, Museum M and Z33. He has also participated in solo and group exhibitions in, amongst others, The National Gallery (London), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Museum Kunst Palast (Düsseldorf), Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ (Amsterdam), Macro (Rome), MAD Museum (NY), Belvedere (Vienna), ZKM (Karlsruhe) and Pushkin Museum (Moscow). Besides making regular appearances at the Venice Biennale, his work has been shown at the Biennials of Moscow, Havana, Dakar and Poznan, at the Triennial of Guangzhou, at the World Expo Shanghai 2010, at Manifesta 9, and at dOCUMENTA (13).

Foundations

Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP)

The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP, 1999) is a global, transdisciplinary and transtemporal examination of the themes of biocultural diversity and identity through the interplay of art, science and beauty. In the CCP, artist Koen Vanmechelen crossbreeds chicken breeds from different countries. His ultimate goal is the creation of a Cosmopolitan Chicken carrying the genes of all the planet’s chicken breeds. Much more than a mere domesticated animal, the chicken is art in itself. It serves as a metaphor for the human animal and its relationship with the biological and cultural diversity of the planet. While the native breeds that descended from the original chicken (the Red Junglefowl) are evolutionary dead-ends (being shaped to reflect the typical cultural characteristics of its community), Vanmechelen’s crossings are solutions. Many years of crossbreeding have shown that each successive generation is more resilient, it lives longer, is less susceptible to diseases, and it exhibits less aggressive behavior. Genetic diversity is essential, proves the Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project (CC®P), which studies the various Cosmopolitan Chickens. In the millennium year 2000, Vanmechelen presented his first ‘crossing’, the Mechelse Bresse, a ‘crossing’ born out of the Belgian species Mechelse Koekoek and the French Poulet de Bresse. To date, twenty-one purebreds have been included in the CCP.

According to Vanmechelen, humanity will only be able to thrive and stay “healthy” in a situation of maximized diversity, a notion reflected by the results of the repeated crossbreeding of races which had previously only been inbred: the offspring of the CCP have longer lifespans and higher fertility rates than the average domesticated chicken, as well as a more effective immune system, making them less liable to be stricken by disease.[14] This intercultural approach has resulted in a chicken carrying traces of DNA from chicken races all over the world: Belgium, France, the U.S., Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Cuba, Italy, Senegal, China, Slovenia and Austria.[15] The CCP has also spawned a plethora of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations.

Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project (CC®P)

The Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project (CC®P) is the more scientifically oriented half of the CCP. In collaboration with esteemed Belgian human geneticist Jean-Jacques Cassiman, Vanmechelen researches the genetic make-up of the chicken races participating in the CCP. The database generated by this research has been said to be the most extensive one in Belgium. The results of the research have been presented in the form of virtual representations as well as 3D-printed sculptures. The piece Evolution of a Hybrid represents three chicken chromosomes, two isolated from inbred, domesticated chickens, the third from a crossbreed: “Chromosomes are laid out in circles, connecting at one tip of the chromosome and wrapped in spherical shapes. The longest chromosomes (chromosomes 1 and 2) cross at the top of the sphere. The number of homozygous and heterozygous polymorphisms along the chromosomes are indicated by peaks pointing inwards and outwards, respectively. As a result, inbred chickens have relatively more peaks pointing inwards while crossbred chickens have more peaks pointing outwards.”[16]

CosmoGolem

The CosmoGolem foundation centers around diversity and children's rights.[17] Its main symbol is the CosmoGolem statue, a wooden giant four meters in height, based on an earlier, much smaller version created by a young Vanmechelen. All CosmoGolem statues are hollow on the inside, which allows for children all over the world to fill them with little bits of paper on which they have written their dreams and wishes for the future. The statues are opened via a small hatch located at their hearts. The aim of the CosmoGolem foundation is to build bridges between different cultures all around the world and to stress the importance of (cultural) diversity, and deal which also underlies the Cosmopolitan Chicken Project. At the [18] moment, there are over 30 CosmoGolem statues, spread all over the globe, in countries such as the Netherlands, India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Poland, Chile and Belgium. The most recent addition to the project will be the Golem that will be inaugurated on August 1, 2019 in Valparaiso, Chile.[19]

COMBAT/CWRM

COMBAT was a project commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War.[20] It was an offshoot of parent project Coming World Remember Me (CWRM), a collaboration between Vanmechelen and Jan Moeyaert. The ultimate goal of CWRM was to produce 600,000 small clay statues, one for every soldier killed on Belgian soil during WW1, by the end of 2018, the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The statues were made by the public, aided by international workshops. At the end of the project, they were all part of a land art installation near the Palingbeek in Ypres, former no man's land. The temporary installation was finalized in April 2018 and covered a surface of several hectares.

[21]

The Walking Egg

The Walking Egg foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on the problem of infertility in developing countries,[22] and also conducts research in the field in collaboration with co-founder Willem Ombelet, who also founded the Genk Institute for Fertility Technology. A small egg, walking on two short chicken legs, forms the organization's logo. In 2013, it was announced that the Walking Egg foundation had developed a much cheaper form of in vitro fertilization, reducing the cost of a single cycle with 90%.[18] This new method, instead of using expensive carbon dioxide, uses two much cheaper chemicals, citric acid and bicarbonate of soda, to produce carbon dioxide – making it a much more affordable process for poor people worldwide. The Walking Egg tries to bring inexpensive in vitro fertilization techniques to countries usually associated with overpopulation, yet also plagued by the effects of infertility: "If you don't have a child in Africa, or also South America or Asia, it's a disaster. It's a disaster from an economic point of view, a psychological point of view. They throw you out of the family. You need to help them and nobody helps them."[18] However, the techniques developed by the Walking Egg foundation aren't destined exclusively for people in developing countries. Because of the cost of a conventional fertilization cycle, the cheaper treatment has received attention from wealthier countries as well.

MOUTH

MOUTH is a philanthropic foundation which brings together art, science and people for diversity.  It partners with individuals and organisations worldwide to put diversity front and center of the global development agenda. The aim is a new, more constructive social and ecological balance.

Launched in 2016, MOUTH is a scientific and practical evolution of the CCP project and Vanmechelen's wider work on diversity.  It convenes, supports and fundraises globally in four interdependent areas:

• The Laboratory:  provision of open-access samples and data for biological and medical research
• The Community:  citizen-led enquiries into the impact of biocultural diversity on everyday lives
• Public Engagement: art and conferences to share information and broaden public discourse on diversity
• Field Science: research into livestock to improve nutrition outcomes and raise incomes of vulnerable people

The work of Belgium artist Koen Vanmechelen is the transformational motor of what MOUTH does.   With his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project and subsequently the Planetary Community Chicken, Vanmechelen has created a chicken for the communities of the world.  One that unites the values of diversity and productivity and brings together the benefits of the global and the local.  The chickens hold a unique genetic diversity that has generated the interest and collaboration of international scientists in medical and livestock research. Both practical and as a mirror for social and ecological choices, Vanmechelen's art inspires and enables change for a more constructive social and ecological balance.

MOUTH's Global Open Farms are physical locations for the encounters and collaborations between art, science, industry and communities.  The Global Open Farms are also the breeding places from where our uniquely diverse cohort of chickens are distributed to the communities, and with them the educational, development and small scale food and community enhancement projects. The principles of generosity and sharing economy are central values in all our farms.

MOUTH helps enable field research through live and laboratory samples, field data, network development, public engagement, communication, and discovery through art. The Cosmopolitan and the Planetary Community Chicken Projects have generated chickens with the potential of increased resilience, fertility and immunity. Its contribution to science has already earned Vanmechelen an honorary doctorate from the University of Hasselt (2010) and the Golden Nica Hybrid Art award (2013).  In 2017, the Cosmopolitan Chicken and Planetary Community Chicken Projects were picked up by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ethiopia, and included in their 'pathway out of poverty' research for Sub Saharan Africa.

The repeated introduction of different DNA from new purebred chickens in the Cosmopolitan Chicken strain has resulted in new generations of chickens with a genome displaying remarkable increased and novel potential for gene transcription and expression. The new chickens contain 13 million SNP DNA, compared to 4-5 million in a normal chicken.  With the Planetary Community Chicken, this diversity is crossed with the dna of local commercial chickens in different locations in the world.  MOUTH harnesses the value of this work through the set up and management of an open biodatabank, containing dna, plasma and microbiome samples from the different flocks.[23]

LABIOMISTA

LABIOMISTA, literally 'mix of life', is in itself an all-encompassing art project, set up as a model for the philosophical ideas on which Vanmechelen's work is based.  LABIOMISTA hosts Vanmechelen's first Open University of Diversity and related foundations.  The site is also where the artist's animals live and breed.  It is both a laboratory and a library of biocultural diversity.

"This is a place that has both the physical and mental space needed for biological and cultural diversity to flourish. Its position between the domesticated and the wild helps bring new fertility to the neighbourhood, which in turn will spread to other parts of the city.  LABIOMISTA will show how various cultures can come into contact, and how humans, flora and fauna can co-exist in enriching ways that have perhaps been forgotten.  My work at LABIOMISTA navigates between and across disciplines, positioning diversity as the foundation for sustainable living and offering up an alternative to traditionally monolithic, mono-cultural approaches to development." - Koen Vanmechelen

With support from local government as well as private stakeholders, and in collaboration with Flanders and Limburg Tourism, LABIOMISTA is being developed as a public-private partnership between Vanmechelen and the city of Genk. The 24 hectare site will be open to the public summer of 2019.  It consists of three parts: a villa, park and studio designed by influential Swiss architect Mario Botta, each one representing a different identity: humans, nature, and the interplay and tension between them.  As visitors enter this world, a pair of stellar sea-eagles look down upon them from their cage above the studio, while the red jungle fowls, the source of all domesticated chicken life, continue to forage just meters away.  A new exploration between man and nature begins. It is a search for a new, more sustainable balance.[24]

New Broods (Projects)

Planetary Community Chicken (PCC)

In 2016, Vanmechelen launched the Planetary Community Chicken (PCC) as a natural response to the positive outcomes of the CCP, and as a way to take his art and findings on diversity out into society. The project focuses on bringing new, healthier chickens to the world's communities, and emphasises the importance of diversity and local, small-scale community farming for long-term sustainability. The project starts with the idea that, every year, a rooster of the newest CCP crossbreed will be paired with a local commercial hen somewhere in the world. This chicken will absorb the genetic pool of the CCP rooster and the local commercial hen and produce a vital community chicken that can provide its host community with eggs and meat. Its name consists of CC and the date of creation. The first is called CC2016, Community Chicken 2016. The introduction of a new ‘cosmopolitan genome’ to the local flock puts an end to the ongoing cycle of genetic erosion that results from local inbreeding and industrial highly efficient mono-cultural production. It promises greater resilience and adaptability. In turn, the local chicken provides familiarity and the necessary characteristics suited for the local environment, as well as resistance to domestic threats.

In each community into which the PCC is introduced, Vanmechelen makes an art exhibition at the venue for the crossing and, through it, encourages public discussion about the value and meaning of diversity and identity. The beauty of ‘the other’, the coming together of the global with the local are visualised in a wide variety of works. The new crossbred chicks hatch in the galleries and museums – with exhibition materials often constructed and recycled by local communities - before being transferred to selected free-range flocks.[25]

SOTWA

SOTWA – meaning umbilical cord – developed in 2014. With SOTWA, Koen Vanmechelen explores the benefit of crossbreeding between cattle stock in Africa, where climate change increasingly threatens the tribe's traditional cattle herding. The project started in Tanzania where the artist gave a Kenyan cow for adoption to the Masaai tribe. Fresh blood and DNA were injected to the herd, strengthening the resilience of the herd through crossbreeding and thus offering it a more viable chance for the future. The skin and horns were later returned to the artist to create artworks.

Anno 2018 the project is extended to Zimbabwe (in collaboration with the Future of Hope) and Ethiopia (in collaboration with ILRI).[26]

MECC

In the Mushrooms, Egg, Chicken, Camelids project, Koen Vanmechelen explores the boundaries dividing different species. Real crossings are not possible, but it explores whether substances from one organism can migrate to the organism of another species. MECC is an innovative art/research project, supported by IWT (Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology) in which researchers in molecular virology from Ghent University and Flanders Institute for Biotechnology collaborate with the artist to explore possible interactions between mammals (camelids), birds (chickens) and mushrooms.

The project aims to show that in some way we are all related and interconnected, part of the same universe. Man is also part of a planetary superorganism. He is bioculturally connected with all other species, some of which can be of vital importance for our survival. The art is finding the appropriate intermediary agents that form the bridge between the species; here chickens and mushrooms.

From a scientific standpoint, the possible transfer of immunologic substances and resistance will be studied. Dromedary antibodies promise to be a powerful weapon against viruses, but their merits cannot be fully delivered to humans yet. In studying the chickens, the focus lies on the Mx gene, which provides natural protection against various viruses, including bird flu. The Mx gene of monoculture chickens, however, barely demonstrates any antiviral activity. This might be linked to the limited genetic diversity of various artificial chicken breeds. The hypothesis is that the greatly increased genetic diversity of the Cosmopolitan Chicken can reinforce the antiviral activity of the Mx gene.[27]

LUCY - PEEL PETUUM MOBILE

LUCY is a collaboration between Koen Vanmechelen and Heyde Hoeve, a collaboration of four pig farmers in Holland that differentiate through their focus on transparency and sustainability in food production. With LUCY, a bio-diverse pig is created. A new pig that tells the story of the search for a better, more sustainable economic system. After the recent focus on monoculture in farming, the project argues that crossbreeding is essential and the only solution for sustainable production. LUCY is the result of the crossing between the industrial Duroc and the Mangalica, a hardy type of Hungarian pig. Through an open stable, visitors are offered a unique view in the essential part of the process: the beginning. The title of the project LUCY - PEEL PETUUM MOBILE embodies all these elements. The primal sow LUCY (first female), Peel (the location of HeydeHoeve) and Petuum (huge amount of data on diversity) serve as a reference to an infinite process of crossing, a perpetual motion in time and space.

The concept contributes to the wider debate on intensive animal farming. It shows the farm per definition as a generator of diversity and sustainability. The multitude of different animals and techniques makes the farm a mini diversity Hub.

Through an open stable at Heyde Hoeve, visitors are offered a unique view in the essential part of the process: the beginning. LUCY, however, is determined to see the world herself. She travels in a food truck constructed by artist Koen Vanmechelen; the LUCY BOAR a hot dog stand on wheels. The LUCY DOG tells her story; it is food for the brain and the stomach. Know what you eat, knowledge is the food of the soul. LUCY was developed by Koen Vanmechelen and Heyde Hoeve. The Foodmonkeys created culinary hot dogs based on the concept. The collaboration is part of the project FoodLabPeel in which ZLTO bkkc and Peel Network collaborate to develop new perspectives on intensive farming in The Peel, Eindhoven.[28]

COSMOCAFE

In 2017 artist Koen Vanmechelen created a café as a continuously evolving living art work. A 19 century building on the Groenmarkt of Sint-Truiden, where in January 2016 the first chicken from Koen Vanmechelen's Planetary Community Chicken project saw the light of day, now houses ‘the staminee of the future’. A collaboration between artist Koen Vanmechelen and entrepreneurs Ben Elen and Pascal Vossius. The cosmocafé illustrates the need for diversity and multiculturalism through the work of Vanmechelen. As a visitor, you literally become a part of his art through the “art of food/food of art concept”. The crosspollination between individuals makes the world a better place. Because enjoyable get-togethers in the microcosm of the cosmocafé make the cosmos a whole lot better.

The cosmocafé straddles local and global. It is a small café, but it has its eyes on the world. It is an authentic city café, an innovative catering business, and a living work of art. The cosmocafé wants to stimulate conversations. A place where you can not only meet people, but actually join in the conversation. Where words and ideas are formed. For each Euro you spend in the cosmocafé, part goes to the MOUTH Foundation.

After the inauguration of the Human Rights Pavilion at the 58th Biennale of Venice in 2019. Different pop-up COSMOCAFE's will host SoTO dialogues around the world. Starting the world tour in Tulum, Mexico it will visit the city's of: Venice, Italy; Santiago, Chile; Medrisio, Switzerland; London, UK; Genk, Belgium; Turku, Finland; Valparaiso, Chile.[29]

Current projects

Human Rights Pavilion

The Human Rights Pavilion is an evolving artwork by renowned Belgium artist Koen Vanmechelen, initiated in the context of the 58th Biennial of Venice, 'May you live in Interesting Times', in collaboration with Global Campus of Human Rights, Fondazione Berengo and the MOUTH Foundation. With the Human Rights Pavilion, Vanmechelen explores the complexities of human nature, the possibility of a universal concept of human rights and the role of art in its development. He presents nature as a human right and contemplates its safeguarding in the Anthropocene, the era in which the human impact on the Earth's geology and ecosystems reaches critical proportions.

The Pavilion develops over a period of 18 months at different global locations and through a wide variety of partners. It is built up of three chapter: SoTO Dialogues, SoTO Environment and SoTO legacy. SoTO which is short for Survival of the Other gives name to the different chapters, and weaves the Vanmechelen's fundamental philosophy through the various elements of the work: every organism needs another organism to survive. At the end of 2020, all inputs are consolidated by the artist and reworked into a unifying OPUS, a collective memory of our moment in time and space, which will be presented to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Commission and to the President and Curator of the 59th Venice Biennale of Art with a call to establish a recurrent supra-national Pavilion of Human Rights as part of the Venice Biennale of Art.[30]

The Open University of Diversity

The Open University of Diversity

The ‘Open University of Diversity’ (OpUnDi, 2012) combines the different Foundations that originate from Koen's work. But it is more than this: The Open University of Diversity is Koen Vanmechelen's intellectual platform and forum, with the objective to create an inclusive community of innovative minds and thinkers around the topic of biocultural diversity, the central theme of Koen's oeuvre. OpUnDi has become a think tank and a meeting place for cross-pollination. Scientists, philosophers, artists and other experts from different domains are invited to make the OpUnDi community stronger and more diverse. Debates, symposia, conferences and expert meetings are organized and informed by the works of art that will be on permanent display. OpUnDi serves as an intellectual space where art and sciences can intersect.

As such, OpUnDi does not have one fixed location. It will always be on the move. Its inauguration took place during the 54th Venice Biennale in the library of the Palazzo Loredan, the historic seat of the Institute of the Sciences, Letters and Art. The official opening in Belgium was held at the beginning of 2012. Since that day, OpUnDi has not only found a home in La Biomista in Genk, it has also branched out to Detroit and Havana and is constantly searching for opportunities for new platforms in the rest of the world.

The Accident

The Accident is a biennial magazine published by Koen Vanmechelen which explores the main themes underlying his art: biocultural diversity and hybridity. Every issue deals with a specific topic. The Accident's purpose is twofold. Firstly, it gives its international readers a better understanding of the core concepts of Vanmechelen's hybrid art and its importance for contemporary society by putting his artistic quest into a multidisciplinary perspective. The magazine also serves as a breeding center for new ideas that can infect the artist himself.[31]

Exhibitions and awards

In 1996, he was awarded the Gustav-Heinemann-Friedenspreis, in 2005 he became an honorary citizen of his birth town Sint-Truiden and in 2013 he received the Golden Nica Hybrid Art for his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project.

Vanmechelen has presented his work on almost all continents, from the United States to China and from Iceland to Botswana. In Belgium, his work was exhibited in many museums and other loci. According to Vanmechelen art should leave the cage of the museum as often as it can. He participated in solo and group exhibitions in among others National Gallery London, Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Museum Kunst Palast (Düsseldorf), Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ (Amsterdam), Zentrum Paul Klee (Bern), MAD Museum (New York) and Pushkin Museum (Moscow). His work was also shown at dOCUMENTA 13, the Biennials of Venice (2009, 2011 and 2013), Manifesta, Dakar and Poznań, triennial of Guangzhou and the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Bibliography (selection)

• The Accident IV, Chronicle of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Hasselt, 2013
• COMBAT, Cosmopolitan Chicken bvba - Koen Vanmechelen, Guy Pieters Editions and Lancommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen, 2012
• The Accident III, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Guangzhou 2011
• The Accident II, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Hasselt 2010
• The Chicken's Appeal, Museum Het Valkhof, Nijmegen 2008
• The Accident, Het Glazen Huis, Lommel 2007
• The Accident, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke 2007
• The Walking Egg/Born, P. Dupont, Fertility Hospital, Genk 2005
• The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Virtual Mechelse Fighter, Deweert Art Gallery, Otegem 2005
• Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Barbara Simons & Wouter Keirse, Ludion
• Gent-Amsterdam, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam 2003
• The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Sex & Mortality, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem, 2003
• The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Between Natural breeding and genetic engineering, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem 2001

Expositions

Solo-exhibitions (selection)

• 2018
  • It's About Time, Serlachius Museum, Mäntta (FI)
  • ComingWorldRememberMe, Ypres (BE)
  • Incubated Worlds (permanent installation), Addis Ababa (ET)
• 2017
  • ETHIOPIA, CosmOpolitan Gallery, Genk (BE)
  • Protected Paradise, Palazzo Franchetti, La Biennale di Venezia (IT)
  • Vision of the Owl, Galerie Valérie Bach, Brussels (BE)
• 2016
  • Fables and Fantasies, Guy Pieters Gallery, Knokke (BE)
  • AWAKENER, Wilford X, Temse (BE)
  • ENERGY/MASS, Wasserman Projects, Detroit (US)
  • Planetary Community Chicken, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare (ZW)
  • Diversity, CosmOpolitan Gallery, Genk (BE)
• 2015
  • This is not a Chicken, Het Domein, Sittard (NL)
  • LIFEBANK/AWAKENER, Glasstress 2015 GOTIKA, 56th Biennial of Venice (IT)
  • Myth's & Medicine, Guy Pieters Gallery, Knokke (BE)
• 2014
  • Beyond Reality, Cosmopolitan Gallery, Genk (BE)
  • In Captivity, Genius Loci, Biennial of Venice (IT)
  • Never Green, Rurart art centre, Rouillé (Poitiers) (FR)
  • Darwin's Dream, St. Pancras Church, London (UK)
• 2013
  • Leaving Paradise, CONNERSMITH., Washington (US)
  • Handmade - C.C.P., LOMAK, Tessenderlo (BE)
  • The Mechelse Styrian - 17th generation - C.C.P., Gallerija Kapelica, Ljubljana (SI)
  • Inception - C.C.P., Wasserman Projects, Detroit (US)
• 2012
  • COMBAT, Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen (BE) and Art gallery De Mijlpaal, Heusden-Zolder (BE)
  • Hotel de Inmigrantes 2 – Cosmopolitan Stranger (Collateral Event Manifesta 9), Open University of Diversity, Hasselt (BE)
• 2011
  • Nato a Venezia, Collateral Event of 54th Biennial of Venice, Venice (IT)
  • Breaking the Cage, IKOB, Museum of Contemporary art Eupen, Eupen (BE)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Art Labor, Shanghai (CN)
  • C.C.P. – In-vetro, Mediaruimte, Brussels (BE)
  • King’s Crown – C.C.P., Absolute Art Gallery, Knokke (BE)
• 2010
  • 14th Generation: Mechelse Silky, Himalayas Center, Pudong Shanghai (CN)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken – Diversity, Espace Européen pour la Sculpture, Parc Tournay-Solvay, Brussels (BE)
• 2009
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Conner Contemporary Art, Washington DC (US)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam (NL)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project - Orloff, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem (BE)
  • Unicorn, 53rd Venice Biennale, 2009, Venice (IT)
  • Connection, St. Lucas Gallery, Brussels (BE)
• 2008
  • Breaking the Cage – The art of Koen Vanmechelen, Victoria and Albert Museum, Arts & Business, curator Mike Phillips, London (GB)
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, Museum Valkenhof, curator Frank Van der Schoor, Nijmegen (NL)
  • CCP Ten Generations, Galerie k4, München (DE)
• 2007
  • CCP Ten Generations, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem (BE)
  • CCP Au Salon, Marijke Schreurs Gallery, Brussels (BE)
  • The Accident, Cornice, Venice Project, Venice (IT)
• 2006
  • The Accident, curator Agnes Husslein, Palm Court, Miami Beach (US)
• 2005
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project - Virtual Mechelse Fighters, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem (BE)
  • Red Jungle Fowl - Genus XY, CRAC, Hilde Teerlinck, Altkirch (FR)
• 2004
  • Red Jungle Fowl - Genus XY, Z33, curator Jan Boelen, Hasselt (BE)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Bourbourg (FR)
  • Mechelse Dresdner, Galerie k4, München (DE)
• 2003
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Musée Départemental de l’ Abbaye de Saint-Riquier (FR)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project – Desire, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam (NL)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project – Mechelse Owlbeard, GEM Den Haag / KunstRAI, curator Wim Van Krimpen, Amsterdam (NL)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Project - Second Generation: Mechelese Bresse - Sex & Mortality, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem (BE)
  • Visible / Invisible, Galerie Tapper, Malmö (SE)
• 2002
  • Artificial Cross-breeding, Berengo Fine Arts, Miami Art Fair (US)
  • Who’s Calling, Berengo Fine Arts, Mi Art, Milaan (IT)
  • Smak, smak, The Mechelse Bresse, S.M.A.K., curator Jan Hoet Junior, Ghent (BE)
• 2001
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem (BE)
• 2000
  • Performance Blood & Colours, Filmfestival, Venice (IT)

Group exhibitions (selection)

• 2018
  • GLASSTRESS PTUJ Slovenija
  • Imago Mundi, Join the Dots, Trieste (IT)
  • New Worlds: Art between Museum and Laboratory, Villa Rot, Burgrieden (DE)
  • COQ, MuséoParc Alésia, Musée et Parc Buffon (FR)
  • Il TERZO GIORNO, Parma (IT)
  • Open Codes, ZKM, Karlsruhe (DE)
• 2017
  • GLASSTRESS, Boca Raton, Miami (US)
  • Ecovention Europe, De Domijnen, Sittard (NL)
  • Force of Nature, The Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, London, (UK)
  • Summer in the city, La Patinoire Royal, Brussels (BE)
  • Celibataire Divas, Refugehuis Hasselt (BE)
  • XY - 10 Years Glazen Huis, Lommel (BE)
  • Planetary Community Chicken, VII Socle du Monde, HEART, Herning, Denmark (DK)
  • Beauty of the Beast, Kasteel d’Ursel, Hingene (BE)
  • How on Earth should this be art?, Concordia, Enschede (NL)
  • Between Heaven and Earth II - A tribute to Willy Van den Bussche, Brugge (BE)
  • Hair and Feathers, Musée de Flandre, Cassel (FR)
• 2016
  • AWAKENER/LIFEBANK, DordtYart, Dordrecht (NL)
  • Haute-à-Porter, Modemuseum Hasselt (BE)
  • Daydreaming With... Stanley Kubrick, Sommerset House, London (UK)
• 2015
  • Evolution of a Hybrid - CC®P, The Importance of Being..., Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, La Habana (CU), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Buenos Aires (AR), Museu de Arte Moderna, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
  • Protected Paradise - C.C.P., Vienna for Art's Sake, Winterpalais Prinz Eugen, Belvedere, Vienna (AT)
  • New Brood - C.C.P., Höhenrausch, OK Center for Contemporary Art, Linz (AT)
  • Under Pressure - C.C.P., Proportio, 56th Biennial of Venice, Palazzo Fortuni (IT)
  • Unicorn, Pro-Historic - C.C.P., Belgi. Barbi e Poeti, Musée d’Art Contemporain de la ville de Rome (IT)
  • Arena de Evolución, 12th la Bienal de La Habana (CU)
  • Cosmopolitan Chicken Kunde - C.C.P., Suriname Biennial, Moengo (SR)
  • Mechelse Cemani - CCP19, Human Parallels, 6th Hotel de Inmigrantes, Jogja Biennale (ID)
  • La Biomista, Exo-Evolution, Globale 2015, ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie, Karlsruhe (DE)
• 2014
  • In Captivity, Genius Loci – Spirit of Place, Lisson Gallery & Berengo Studio, 55th International Architecture Biennale of Venice (IT)
  • La Biomista, The Green Light District, BUDA, Kortrijk (BE)
  • In Captivity, Glasstress Istanbul, Istanbul (TR)
  • Mechelse Sulmtaler - CCP18, Rasa (touring expo), Belgium
  • Out-breeding – C.C.P., Bloed, Artisit, Landcommandery Alden-Biesen, Bilzen (BE)
  • Symbiosis – C.C.P., Next Door, Living Tomorrow, Vilvoorde (BE)
  • Symbiosis - C.C.P., Facial Make-Over, Brussels (BE)
  • Breaking the Cage - C.C.P., A touch of Steel, Klingenmuseum, Solingen (DE)
  • Bio-Care, An evening of Art and Science, Michigan, Detroit (USA)
  • Sex and Mortality - C.C.P., Capita Selecta, Kortrijk (BE)
  • Beyond Reality, CosmOpolitan Gallery, Genk (BE)
  • In-Vetro – C.C.P., Museum to Scale 1/7, The Baker Museum, Naples, Florida (USA)
  • Carried by Generations, CONNERSMITH., Washington D.C. (USA)
  • Pyramid of Time/Pyramid of Brains – C.C.P., The Senate and The Big hall of the National Bank of Belgium, curated by Sven Vanderstichelen, Brussels (BE)
  • In-Vetro – C.C.P. , Museum to Scale 1/7, Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Brussels (BE)
  • Under my Skin - C.C.P., 25 years Museum of Fashion, Museum of Fashion, Hasselt (BE)
  • Mechelse Senegal - CCP16, Art for Air, Bernaert Auction House, Antwerp (BE)
  • Carried by Generations, Resonance(s)/Weerklank(en), Brussels (BE)
• 2013
  • Tabula Rasa - C.C.P., Belgian Embassy (curated by Z33), The Hague (NL)
  • Protected Paradise, Guy Pieters Gallery, Saint Paul de Vence (FR)
  • Symbiosis - C.C.P., Museum de Mindere, Sint-Truiden (BE)
  • Grale - C.C.P., Kortrijk Vlaandert, Kortrijk (BE)
  • Cosmopolitan Fossil, The Eggcord and In Transit - C.C.P., Kunstenfestival Watou (BE)
  • De Wachtkamer, Schatten van VLIEG, Kruidtuin Leuven (BE)
  • Spawn - C.C.P., Murano >< Merano, Glasstress, MERANO ARTE (IT)
  • Evolution of a Hybrid, Pavilion 0, Palazzo Donà, Biennial of Venice (IT)
  • Under my Skin and Patience - C.C.P., White light/White Heat, Glasstress, Biennial of Venice (IT)
  • Inzicht and Coming World - C.C.P., ArtZuid, Amsterdam (NL)
  • (Re)source, Modified Spaces, Beelden op de Berg, Wageningen (NL)
  • Re-Cycling Birth, O-Parade, Genk (BE)
  • The exposition Vrouwenkuren, Frantic – C.C.P., IPSOC and Dr. Ghislain, Kortrijk (BE)
  • Studio Vera Vermeersch, Tabula Rasa, CC Haselt, Hasselt (BE)
  • Cultural Freedom in Europe, Pedigree - C.C.P. and Hybridity in Art & Science – C.C.P., Goethe-institute, Walloon Parliament, Brussels (BE)
  • Hybridity in Art and Science - C.C.P. and Symbiosis - C.C.P., Lieux Communs, Namur (BE)
  • The Walking Egg, Transformation, Garage Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL)
• 2012
  • Hybridity in art and science – C.C.P., dOCUMENTA 13 (‘The Worldly House’), Kassel (DE)
  • Instead of sleeping, Glasstress Beirut, Beirut Exhibition Center, Beirut (LBN)
  • Hotel de Inmigrantes – Cosmopolitan Stranger, Open University of Diversity, Hasselt (Collateral event Manifesta 9) (BE)
  • In Transit – C.C.P., ManifestAanwezig, Kasteel d’Aspremont-Lynden, Oud-Rekem (Collateral Event Manifesta 9) (BE)
  • Without Time Frame, Parallel Worlds, CIAP, Hasselt (Collateral Event Manifesta 9) (BE)
  • Under Pressure – C.C.P., Leaving for a Living, ArtAndAdvice, Hasselt (Collateral Event Manifesta 9) (BE)
  • Coming World – C.C.P., Kunstenfestival Watou, Watou (BE)
  • Conservation – C.C.P., De Etende Mens, Designhuis Eindhoven, Eindhoven (NL)
  • Inzicht – C.C.P., KANAL – Ondernemen is een kunst, Danis, Izegem (BE)
  • Communicating Vessels – C.C.P., KANAL – Ondernemen is een kunst, Vanden Avenne, Ooigem (BE)
  • Vesta – C.C.P., Lieux-Communs, Namen (BE)
  • Disabled – C.C.P., SCOPE NY, New York (US)
  • Entwined - C.C.P., Breaking the Mold, Glasstress, MADmuseum, New York (US)
  • De Nieuwe Gouden Eeuw, Abbey of Sint-Bernardus, Bornem (BE)
• 2011
  • Modified Spaces – C.C.P., 4th triennial of Guangzhou, Guangdong Museum of Art (CN)
  • Genetic Freedom – C.C.P., Scenarios about Europe, GFZK, Leipzig (DE)
  • Glasstress, Venice Projects, Venice (IT), Oslo (NO)
  • Sjamanism – C.C.P., Andermans Veren, Art Gallery De Mijlpaal, Heusden-Zolder (BE)
• 2010
  • Mediations Biënnale Beyond Mediations, Tower of Babel, Poznań (PL)
  • Schone Schijn, Beeldende kunstmanifestatie, Heemskerk (NL)
  • InGewikkeld, Art Gallery De Mijlpaal, Clarissenklooster, Hasselt (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project - Feed the world, Wijheizijweihij, Vredeseilanden, Eliksem (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project - Innovations and adaptation, Dak’Art Biënnale, Dakar (SN)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken – Frozen Culture Balance, Mediations, National Museum Warsaw, Warschau (PL)
  • Art Amsterdam, Amsterdam (NL)
  • Art Paris, Paris (FR)
  • Arco Madrid, Madrid (ES)
  • The Armory Show, New York (US)
  • Parallellepipeda, M - Museum Leuven (BE)
  • Figure it out?!, China China, Ceramics, Art Gallery De Mijlpaal, Heusden-Zolder (BE)
  • FADA Los Angeles Art Show 2010, Los Angeles (US)
  • Ant)arcticmatters, Frozen Culture Balance, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke (BE)
• 2009
  • Lineart art fair 2009, Blikvanger: Unicorn, Showcase; Figure it out, Ceramics; China China, Flanders Expo, Ghent (BE)
  • PULSE Miami 2009, The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Pulse (US)Contemporary Art Fair, The Ice Palace, Miami (US)
  • Becoming Intense, Becoming Animal, Becoming ..., Völkerkundemuseum von Portheim-Stiftung, Heidelberg (DE)
  • In Bed Together, Breaking the Cage, Royal/T, curator Jane Glassman, Culver City (US)
  • The Toronto International Art Fair 2009, Toronto (CA)
  • Against Exclusions, The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Mechelse Orloff, 3rd Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art, curator
  • Jean-Hubert Martin, Moskou (RU)
  • Boer zoekt stijl, Designhuis, Eindhoven (NL)
  • Glasstress, 53ste Biennial of Venice, Venice (IT)
  • VOLTA Basel 2009, Bazel (CH)
  • CIGE 2009, China International Gallery Exposition, Beijing (CN)
  • 101 Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair 2009, Tokyo (JP)
  • Superstories, 2de Triënnale Hasselt, curator Koos Flinterman, Hasselt (BE)
• 2008
  • Kort is de tijd en onherroepelijk, Landgoed Groot Vijverburg, Tytsjerk (NL)
  • Dat de verte nabijer dan ooit was, Salvator Globe, curator Giacinto di Pietrantonio, St. Bavokerk, Watou (BE)
  • Genesis: CCP 10 Generation, Zentrum Paul Klee, curator Fabienne Eggelhöfer, Bern (CH)
  • The Salvator Globe, Art Brussels, Brussels (BE)
  • The Cathedral – Ectoplasma – CCP, Congress Centre, Davos (CH)
  • Doing it my way, MKM Museum Küppersmühle für Moderne Kunst, curator Lorenzo Benedetti, Duisburg (DE)
  • Zerbrechliche Schönheit, The Accident, museum Kunst Palest, curator Thijs Visser, Düsseldorf (DE)
  • Ad Absurdum, Mechelse Bresse, MARTA, curator Jan Hoet, Herford (DE)
  • Die Hände der Kunst, Koen Vanmechelen x Mechelse Koekoek, MARTA, curator Jan Hoet, Herford (DE)
  • Ephermeral Fringes, CCP Mechelse Cubalaya, curator Filip Luyckx, Art Brussels, Brussels (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken: 10 Generations, Mediations Biënnale, curators Yu Yeon Kim, Lorand Heg Yi, Gu Zhenqing, Poznań (PL)
  • Betrekkelijk rustig, Lab, Kasteel Rekem, curator Annemie Van Laethem, Rekem (BE)
  • Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere, CCP, curator Arno Vroonen, München (DE)
• 2007
  • Troubleyn / Laboratorium, Ab Ovo, Antwerp (BE)
  • Genesis - The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Centraal Museum Utrecht, curator Emilie Gomart, Utrecht (NL)
  • Totemisimi, Medusa, National Gallery of London, London (GB)
  • De Kunstkas, Bio, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke (BE)
  • Some make – Some take, Art Köln, Keulen (DE)
• 2006
  • Facing 1200° - Glass from the Berengo Collection, Museum Moderner Kunst Kärnten, Klagenfurt (AT)
  • DOTS, curator Stef Vanbellingen, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
  • Handle with care, Pushkin Museum, Moskou (RU)
  • Field Work met Hans Op de Beeck en Ricardo Brey, curator Roel Arkesteijn, Kunstvereniging Diepenheim (NL)
• 2005
  • LAT, Oda-Park, curator Marijke Cieraad, Venray (NL)
  • Super!, curator Edith Doove, Hasselt (BE)
  • Slow Art - Neue Akzente aus Flandern und den Niederlanden, Museum Kunst Palast, curator Thijs Visser, Düsseldorf (DE)
  • Two Asias, Two Europes, Duolun Museum of Modern Art, curator Gu Zhenqing, Shanghai (CN)
• 2004
  • Cultivando la Naturaleza, Fundacion César Manrique, curator Bianca Visser, Lanzarote (ES)
  • ECLIPS / 25th Birthday Deweer Art Gallery, curator Jo Coucke, Transfo Zwevegem (BE)
• 2003
  • Le Coq, Musée Départementale de l’Abbeye de Saint-Riquier, Picardie (FR)
  • Beaufort 2003, curator Willy Van den Bussche, Blankenberge (BE)
  • Cinecittà, Berengo Fine Arts, Filmfestival, Venice (IT)
  • The Walking Egg, Shinchu Museum, Taipei (TW)
• 2002
  • 3 FEB 02, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, curator Edith Doove, Deurle (BE)
  • Attitude, Château du Pauly (FR)
  • Cinecittà, Berengo Fine Arts Filmfestival, Venice (IT)
• 2001
  • Secret Gardens, curator Annemie Van Laethem, Rekem (BE)
  • www.murano.be, Venetiaanse Gaanderijen, Oostende (BE)
  • Wir sind die ander(en), curator Jan Hoet, Herford (DE)
• 2000
  • The Walking Egg, Arco 2000, Madrid (ES)
  • Storm Centers, curator Jan Hoet, Watou (BE)
  • A Shot in the Head, curator Jill Silverman, Lisson Gallery, London (GB)

Permanent works (selection)

• LABIOMISTA, Genk (BE), 2019
• T-REX, Mäntta (FI), 2019
• Cosmogolem, LABIOMISTA - Studio Koen Vanmechelen, Genk (Be), 2018
• Medusa, Serlachius Museums (FI), 2018
• Book of Genomes, National Museum of Ethiopia, 2018
• Incubated Worlds, ILRI, Addis Ababa (ET), 2018
• De Kus, Sint-Truiden (BE), 2018
• Collective Memory, EIUC, Global campus of Human Rights, Venice (IT), 2017
• Cosmogolem, drawing, National Gallery of Harare (ZW), 2016
• Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, ZKM, Karlsruhe (DE)
• Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, dOCUMENTA, 2012
• Under Pressure - Luciano Benetton Collection, 2015
• Infinity - C.C.P., Dronten (NL), 2016
• Infinity - C.C.P., Sint-Trudo Hospital, Sint-Truiden (BE), 2013
• Modified Spaces, T-Rex, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou (CN), 2011
• The Cosmopolitan Chicken – Celestial body, VOKA Kamer van Koophandel Limburg, Hasselt (BE), 2010
• The Cosmopolitan Chicken – Time Temperature, BioVille, Campus UHasselt, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Diepenbeek (BE), 2010
• High-Breed, The European Academy of Gynaecological Surgery, Leuven (BE), 2009
• Troubleyn / Laboratorium, Ab Ovo, Antwerp (BE), 2007
• The Walking Egg – Born, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk (BE), 2005
• Drawing, GEM | Museum voor actuele kunst, 2003

Lectures/debates (selection)

• 2018
  • Confused, LABIOMISTA (BE)
  • It’s About Time, University of the Arts, Helsinki (FI)
  • A night with Koen Vanmechelen and Tom Lanoye, LABIOMISTA (BE)
  • Fertility, Art Festival Ptuj (SI)
  • Art as Human Rights, Graduation Ceremony, Global Campus Human Rights, Venice (IT)
  • All Rights! Let’s talk about the Future of Humanity, Amnesty International, Brussels (BE)
  • Night of ICT, Proximus, KANAL, Brussels (BE)
  • Food Art Film Festival, Van Eyck Academy, Maastricht (NL)
• 2017
  • Tedx, University of Michigan (US)
  • This is not a chicken, Design Indaba (SA)
  • Collective Memory, Diplomatic council on human Rights, EIUC, Venice (IT)
  • Mindgate, Museum M, Leuven (BE)
• 2016
  • VLIR-UOS, The Chicken’s Appeal, Tour & Taxis, Brussels (BE)
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi (KE)
  • XIII International Forum, Sculpture Network, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke (BE)
  • Duo lecture with Maarten Doorman on the social relevance of art, DordtYart, Dordrecht (NL)
  • Otlet Salon, Koen Vanmechelen edition, Open University of Diversity, Hasselt (BE)
• 2015
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, Good Practices Workshop # 5, University of Hasselt (BE)
  • This is Not a Chicken, Het Domein, Sittard (NL)
• 2014
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (on invitation of Prof. Dr. Anton Zeilinger, Vienna (AT)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Loitering with Intent, Stockholm University of the Arts, Stockholm (SE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken, New Narratives for Europe, Berlin (DE)
  • Arena de Evolución, Feest van de Filosofie, University of Leuven, Leuven (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project, Visualizing Biological Data Conference, Heidelberg (DE)
• 2013
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte), Havana (CU)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, CONNERSMITH, Washington (US)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Galerija Kapelica, Ljubljana (SI)
  • When happiness happens, BOZAR (in cooperation with United Nations), Brussels (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, University of Kortrijk, Kortrijk (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Community Center De Markthallen, Herk-De-Stad (BE)
  • The Cosmogolem Foundation, JOC De Kouter, Poperinge (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, CIMIC, University of Mechelen, Mechelen (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Het Paleis, Antwerp (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, EuropeN, European Economic and Social Committee, Brussels (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Cranbrook University, Detroit (US)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit(US)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit (US)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Day for Cultural Education by the Flemish Government, Ghent (BE)
• 2012
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Tori Oso (SR)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, COMBAT Alden Biesen, Bilzen (BE)
  • The Open University of Diversity, Z33, Hasselt (BE)
  • The Open University of Diversity, TEDxYouth Flanders, Antwerp (BE)[32]
  • The Open University of Diversity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing (CN)
  • This is not a Chicken, World Appreciative Inquiry Conference, Ghent (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Genetic Freedom, Europe (to the power of N), Berlin (DE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Bioethics Congress, Rotterdam (NL)
  • The Walking egg, Unite for Sight Global Health & Innovation, Yale University (US)
  • Artist talk met Marcel Pinas, VUB university, Brussels (BE)
• 2011
  • This is not a chicken, Galerie Für Zeit Genössische Kunst, Leipzig (DE)
  • Modified Spaces –C.C.P., with Peter Noever, Guanzhou Museum of Art, Guangzhou (CN)
  • In-Vetro – C.C.P., Symposium Transparent vision – the art and science of glass Kijkduin Biënnale (NL)
  • The Open University of Diversity, Creativity World Forum, Hasselt (BE)
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, Pecha kucha, Brussels (BE)
• 2010
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, TedxFlanders, Antwerp (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, European Conference On Computational Biology, Ghent (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Belgian pavilion World Expo, Shanghai (CN)
  • Arts meets Science, Doctor Honoris Causa, Faculty of Medicine UHasselt, Hasselt (BE)
  • The Accident, Debate with Professor J.-J. Cassiman, Dr. Mike Philips, Dr. Luc Vrielinck and Peter Adriaenssens, moderator:
  • Indra Dewitte, Museum M, Leuven (BE)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, PULSE New York (US)
• 2009
  • The Chicken’s Appeal, 3rd Moscow Biennial of Contemporary Art, 2009, Moskou (RU)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, 53e Biennial di Venezia, Venice (IT)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project – Culture and Nature Balance Climat ChangeCongress, 2009, Kopenhagen (DK)
• 2008
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Debate, World Economic Forum, Davos (CH)
  • Day of Hope, Cosmogolem, Jeanne Devos Fonds, Mumbai (IN)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Victoria and Albert Museum, London (UK)
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Creativity World Forum, Lotto Arena, Antwerp (BE)
• 2007
  • The Walking Egg, Expert meeting Fertility in Developing Countries, Arusha (TA)
• 2005
  • CosmoGolem, Child abuse: Neglecting the Facts, Leuven (BE)
• 2004
  • CosmoGolem en Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, The Jacobs Foundation, Zurich (CH)
• 2002
  • The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Natural History Museum, London (GB)

Publications (selection)

• Facts, Views & Vision, The Low Countries Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Health. A scientific Journal of the Flemish Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, June 2009.
• IVF in developing countries: an artist's view, Human Reproduction, An Oxford Journal, published by Oxford University Press, July 2008. Eshre Special Task Force on Developing Countries and Infertility.
• It's About Time, Timo Valjakka (ed.), Rod Mengham, Hanna Johansson, Jill Silverman van Coenegrachts, 2018, Parvs
• Het Belang van Limburg & Vanmechelen, K (eds.) 2016, Het belang van Cultuur
• Vanmechelen, K (ed.) 2015, AWAKENER/LIFEBANK, La Biennale di Venezia.
• Vanmechelen, K (ed.) 2015, La Biomista Journal.
• Vanmechelen, K (ed.) 2014, Darwin's Dream, St Pancras Church, London.
• Guy Pieters Editions & Vanmechelen, K. (eds.) 2012, COMBAT, Lancommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen.
• Vanmechelen, K. (ed.) 2013, The Accident VI, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Hasselt.
• Vanmechelen, K. (ed.) 2011, The Accident III, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Guangzhou.
• Vanmechelen, K. (ed.) 2010, The Accident II, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Hasselt.
• Museum Het Valkhof & Vanmechelen, K. (eds.) 2008, The Chicken's Appeal, Nijmegen.
• Het Glazen Huis & Vanmechelen, K. (ed.) 2007, The Accident, Lommel.
• Verbeke Foundation & Vanmechelen, K. (eds.) 2007, The Accident, Chronicles of The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Kemzeke.
• Dupont, P. (ed) 2005, The Walking Egg/Born – Fertility Hospital, Genk.
• Deweer Art Gallery & Vanmechelen K. (eds.) 2005, The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Virtual Mechelse Fighter, Otegem.
• Simons, B. & Keirse W. (eds.) 2003, Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Ludion Gent-Amsterdam – De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam.
• Deweer Art Gallery & Vanmechelen K. (eds.) 2003, The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Sex & Mortality, Otegem.
• Deweer Art Gallery & Vanmechelen K. (eds.) 2001, The Cosmopolitan Chicken, Between Natural breeding and genetic engineering, Otegem. De Maeyer, G., Labarque P., Vanmechelen, K., 1998. Manneke van Glas. Averbode: Uitgeverij Altiora.
• De Maeyer, G., & Vanmechelen, K., 1997. De Kooi. Averbode: Uitgeverij Altiora.
• De Maeyer, G., & Vanmechelen, K., 1996. Juul. Averbode: Uitgeverij Altiora.

Artistic-scientific projects

• “CC®P”, The Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project; artistic, genetic project with Professor Jean-Jacques Cassiman with as aim to research the genetics of the chickens.
• “The Walking Egg”, Art meets science, with fertilityspecialist Willem Ombelet and a team of scientists, journalists and ‘thinkers’. Publishes a magazine every four years ‘The Walking Egg’ and project ‘Born’ in the hospital ZOL, Genk (Belgium).
• “Frozen Culture”; freezing of sperm of the cosmopolitan chicken with cooperation of Ivo Lambrichts (UHasselt), Dr. Luc Vrielinck and Jan Rutten.
• “The Golden Spur”, chirurgical operation on rooster without spur where on the bone a new golden spur was attached, with dr Luc Vrielinck.
• “Lambo”, contraction of ‘Lama, ‘Ovambo’ and ‘Labo’, a project that is looking for a new way of crossbreeding.

References

1. "Koen Vanmechelen » Cosmopolitan Chicken Project". Koenvanmechelen.be. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
2. "Koen Vanmechelen » Cosmogolem". Koenvanmechelen.be. 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
3. "The Walking Egg". Thewalkingegg.com/. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
4. "Koen Vanmechelen » Cosmopolitan chicken research project". Koenvanmechelen.be. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
5. "Koen Vanmechelen » Open university of diversity". Koenvanmechelen.be. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
6. "Biografie van Koen Vanmechelen op BAM". Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
7. "Trigonostomum vanmechelenisp. nov., a new species of Trigonostomidae (Rhabdocoela: Dalytyphloplanida) from the channels of Venice (Italy), with a discussion on the T. lillieispecies group". Italian Journal of Zoology. 80: 46–51. doi:10.1080/11250003.2012.754058.
8. "Koen Vanmechelen - Nato a Venezia - 54Th biennial of Venice (Long version)". YouTube. 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
9. "Dirk Van den Abeele » Blog Archive » Belgie verliest pionier van de vogelliefhebberij". Ornitho-genetics.info. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
10. De Standaard Online, 12 november 2005. Lees de kip en je weet waar we als mens naartoe gaan
11. "Kenisgroep - Wie is Jan Kenis?". Kenisgroep.be. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-06-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
13. "Koen Vanmechelen » Cosmopolitan Chicken Project". Koenvanmechelen.be. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
14. "Op zoek naar de bastaardkip" (PDF). koenvanmechelen.be. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
15. "Stamboom" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
16. "Evolution of a Hybrid". ccrp.be. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
17. "Cosmogolem". koenvanmechelen.be. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
18. "IVF as cheap as £170, doctors claim". bbc.com. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
19. "Cosmogolem ready to tour in Chile". Social artistic project | Belgium | Koen Vanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
20. "Comingworldrememberme" (PDF). gonewest.be. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
21. Peter Prantner (2018-04-01). "Images of Vanmechelens Palingbeek-Project". orf.at.
22. "About the Walking Egg". www.thewalkingegg.com. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
23. "mouth | What we do". mouth (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
24. "koenvanmechelen | LABIOMISTA". koenvanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
25. "mouth | The Planetary Community Project". mouth (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
26. "koenvanmechelen | SOTWA". koenvanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
27. "koenvanmechelen | MECC". koenvanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
28. "koenvanmechelen | LUCY - PEEL PETUUM MOBILE". koenvanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
29. "koenvanmechelen | COSMOCAFE". koenvanmechelen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-04-18.
30. "Concept". HumanRightsPavilion. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
31. "The Accident". koenvanmechelen.be. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
32. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-03-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

• Official website
• Koen Vanmechelen on Twitter
• Youtube
• MOUTH Foundation
• Human Rights Pavilion