In one of the most bizarre art performances in recent memory, French artist Abraham Poincheval sat on eggs for 23 straight days to hatch them with his own body heat — an act that has ignited both fascination and outrage. Known for pushing physical and artistic boundaries, Poincheval stayed inside a glass vitrine at a Paris museum, keeping the temperature steady at 37°C to mimic a hen’s natural warmth. All but two eggs eventually hatched.
The performance quickly caught the attention of the media, but also drew heavy criticism from animal rights group PETA. The organization slammed the act in an open letter, accusing Poincheval of depriving the chicks of their mother and turning them into mere props. “Animals have no place in art,” PETA declared, calling the project deeply insensitive.
Also Read: Dung Beetle Named World’s Strongest Insect: can pull 1,141 times its body weight
Poincheval’s father, Christian, stepped in to defend his son. He assured that the chicks would now live peacefully in a luxury henhouse in Normandy and would never be eaten. “They’ll never be part of any feast,” he promised, adding a touch of humor rooted in his own history of quirky inventions like rose-scented flatulence pills.
Despite the exhaustion, the museum says Poincheval is thrilled with the outcome. “He never thought so many would hatch,” a spokesperson said. “It was far more grueling than being entombed in a rock.” The artist’s blend of endurance and eccentricity continues to blur the line between art and controversy.
