Art You Can Scratch Your Head Over

Head Lice

Has the art world been turned upside down again? Seven Berlin artists are living it up in a museum with lice in their hair.

For those who don't know, lice are tiny parasitic insects that live among human hairs and feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They are common in small children because they are so contagious. Usually little Billy or Susie will catch lice from another kid at school and bring it home to the whole family.

"Art is no longer just a painting on the wall," Milana Gitzin-Adiram, chief curator of the Museum of Bat Yam near Tel Aviv, told Reuters. "Art is life, life is art."

These seven artists are living in an Israeli museum for three weeks with lice in their hair.

Artist Akim One Machine-Tu Nyuyen wearing a plastic shower cap while eating

The artists eat, sleep and bathe in the museum. The exhibit caused some controversy as the mention of lice in that country sometimes brings back memories of Nazi propaganda describing Jews as "parasites". The artists state that this was not their intention. They were trying to use the theme of 'hosting' in their exhibition.

"The idea is that we live in the museum as their guests, and at the same time we are hosting lice on our heads," said artist Vincent Grunwald.

According to Reuters, the group acknowledged that living with lice was uncomfortable, but said it was worth it for the sake of art.

Lice? In your hair? As art? Need I say more?

Excuse me while I end this article. My head suddenly feels itchy and I have to go wash my hair.

Source: reuters