Celeste Boursier-Mougenot is the latest artist to show her work in the Curve Gallery at the Barbican. If you haven’t been yet, you are missing out! I went along today with my friend Jo. To be honest, we were a little skeptical – how long can watching tiny birds be that interesting for? I’m glad to say that we were proven very wrong!

The setting is akin to a ‘walk through’ aviary. The small chaffinches flit about the open space, perching upon the electric guitars or cymbals placed around the room. The guitars are connected to the sound system – so the music you hear (or series of sounds) is generated by the birds activity, hopping on the strings! It’s so sweet watching them building little nests, weaving grass quickly and territorially through guitar strings.

It really is mesmerising, and as the birds have been raised in this open environment, they fly onto the guests, happily sitting upon various shoulders. Needless to say, we were secretly jealous of the attention most of the other visitors were getting, and I think we may have actually stayed so long in the anticipation of becoming a human bird stand. But soon enough, joy prevailed and I experienced a chaffinch momentarily sitting on my handbag and Jo made a friend who cheerily sat on her shoulder (see picture below- very exciting!). Highly recommended, and it’s free entry!