Nico Vascellari reported for animal cruelty over fake chicken box at Forte Belvedere

Artist Nico Vascellari has been reported to authorities for alleged animal mistreatment during his exhibition 'Melma' at Forte Belvedere in Florence, curated by Sergio Risaliti. The controversy centers on the work 'Tre, quattro galline', a cardboard box that moves and emits chicken sounds, which some visitors believed contained live chickens. Animal welfare officers from ENPA investigated and confirmed the box contains only a small motor and an audio file. Vascellari stated that the public reaction demonstrates the work's success in raising awareness about animal cruelty, noting that chickens in factory farms live in cages of similar size. The exhibition, running through the summer, features over thirty works including nine 'Horse Power' aluminum sculptures, two videos ('Fossil of Experience' and 'Horse Power'), and the piece 'Falena' on the building facade. Risaliti described the show as exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, with themes of violence, sweetness, corruption, and regeneration.