Banksy's Village Pet Store and Grill

All those Banksy billboards that popped up around Manhattan proved to mean something after all - they were to promote Banksy's show/installation in Greenwich Village, which opened today.

"The Village Pet Store and Grill" has pet-like displays along with items that might make one hungry. Hot dogs and salami as gerbils, a hairless Tweety bird, fish sticks in a fish tank, chicken products in a coop, a grooming rabbit, a fur coat doubling as a cat, and best of all, a chimp watching chimp porn. (It's all animatronics.)

While we were there, those entering the store actually seemed to expect a pet store. And while The Village Pet Store does have treats for your cat and dog, they don't seem to be for sale. Additionally, there are undercover security guards hanging out around it and no more murals (beyond the four already posted) are planned. Banksy has been in NYC, but it's unclear if he's still in town.

Lest the hours on the store's business cards fool you, it's actually open from 10am - midnight (not the printed time of 12pm) through October 31st at 89 7th Ave. South (btwn Jekyll and Hyde and Sushi Samba). There's talk the show may be recreated somewhere else after the run.

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By tien mao in Arts & Entertainment on October 9, 2008 11:40 AM

Comments [rss]

Editrixie

Idiots, this is crap.

robingee

Way cool!

soopaman

#1 it reminds me I forgot to flush my toilet this morning

moneyries

I just went over there on my lunch break (got five guys...yea!) and it most certainly didn't suck. the hot dogs were really cool, the fish sticks actually moved kinda real, but coolest of all was the monkey watching monkey porn! i recommend.

matty

what's wrong with salami? the best salami is all natural and free range.

moreice

What's with the "Caddyshack" reference to the Baby Ruth bar in the pool?

Oh, wait, those are fish sticks.

babyhitler

I like how this is a very obscure art installation. I don't like how it sucks. C'mon banksy, you are really starting to suck. Can you jump the shark in the art world? or because it's art is jumping the shark post ironic and then therfore more arty?

trotskie

there used to be (might still be) a pet store/deli in Amityville out on on LI.

bmfesq

Itis a commentary on how much meat is processed beyond recognition- salamis, hot dogs, chicken and fish nuggets.

We need to back to days of grilling up bloody meat, pulling the feathers from live chickens and tasty rabbits.

The monkey porn has thrown me for a loop.

MFer

No. It's a commentary on the commentary on how fucked up the whole factory-farming industry and meat-eating society is.

This is interesting while it was devoid of meaning and completely asinine. Now it's just stupid.

The true artist is the one feasting on chicken nuggets outside the store.

camera_club

It appears that this might be commentary on how fucked up the whole factory-farming industry and meat-eating society is. At least I hope. If so, cheers!!