Amsterdam's annual art show had a rather unusual exhibit this year, with artist Bart Jansen showcasing his own dead cat turned into a helicopter.
Named Orvillocopter, after his pet cat who died six months ago, the work was presented on Sunday (June 3) at the KunstRai.
After Orville the cat got run over by a car, Jansen preserved his body and later decided to honour it by making it fly. He was assisted in his quest by radio-controlled helicopter flyer Arjen Beltman, who helped build the control panel inside the cat and propellers on its legs.
"This is Orvillocopter, the world's first flying cat. Orville was my cat, he got run over by a car about half a year ago. We were very sad and we mourned for a couple of days, and then I thought to make a tribute to his name and honour him by making him fly, just as Orville Wright did before him," Jansen told Reuters.
The cat skin that has been used to create the aircraft has been disinfected and clean. The device can fly for five minutes before requiring a battery recharge.
Jansen is selling Orvillocopter for twelve thousand euros, but the fridge to keep Orville is not included in the price.
The 'catcopter' will fly next time at the summer expo in City Museum of The Hague from June 15 - August 19.
VIDEO:
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (JUNE 3, 2012) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. HELICOPTER ROTOR ON CAT'S FRONT LEFT PAW
2. FACE OF CAT WITH ROTORS RUNNING
3. 'ORVILLECOPTER' FLYING IN GALLERY
4. CROWD WATCHING
5. VARIOUS OF 'ORVILLECOPTER' BEING PREPARED FOR FLIGHT
6. VARIOUS OF BATTERY BEING INSERTED INTO 'ORVILLECOPTER'
7. ARTIST BART JANSEN (LEFT) PREPARING THE 'ORVILLECOPTER'
8. HANDS OPENING CAT'S SKIN AND SHOWING THE CONTROL BOARD INSIDE
9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARTIST BART JANSEN SAYING:
"This is Orvillocopter, the world's first flying cat, Orville was my cat, he got run over by a car about half a year ago, we were very sad and we mourned for a couple of days, and then I thought to make a tribute to his name and honour him by making him fly, just as Orville Wright did before him."
10. ORVILLECOPTER'S ENGINES STARTING AND CAT FLYING OFF
11. ORVILLECOPTER FLYING AND PEOPLE WATCHING
12. HAND WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND ORVILLECOPTER FLYING OFF