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Belgian conceptual artists Jan Fabre causing another stink in the art world

Mon Nov 3, 11:40 AM

By The Associated Press

ANTWERP, Belgium - Belgian conceptual artist Jan Fabre is creating another big stink in the art world.

And more than a few museum-goers are expressing their distaste after touring Fabre's "Spring is on its way" exhibit at Antwerp's MuHKA museum of contemporary art.

It consists of onions and potatoes hung from the ceiling in condoms and the vegetables are, well, spoiling.

Museum spokeswoman Kathleen Weyts defends the exhibit, saying that like many of his works, Fabre's latest effort is "about transformation and metamorphosis."

But the local media reports that many visitors, not to mention museum guards, are protesting the smelly display, which has now become the talk of the town.

It's not the first time people have turned up their noses at Fabre's work. Eight years ago he got the same reaction in Ghent, Belgium, after covering some university pillars in ham.

"Protest Against Fabre's Stink Art," headlined the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper in response to the Antwerp exhibit.

"Fabre's stinking work raises tempers," added the VRT television network on its website.

Some shoots have broken through the condoms and other condoms have crashed to the floor from the weight of the vegetables.

The Antwerp museum has no plans to remove Fabre's installation, which runs until the start of spring 2009, but it is removing any vegetables that fall.

"It smells of onions, but I would not call it a stink," MuHKA director Bart De Baere said in defending the exhibit to VRT.

"Fabre always says that art must be a bit smelly," added Weyts.