THE FROZEN CHICKEN GHOST

n 1978 artist Jeffrey Vallance bought a frozen fryer chicken at the Ralph’s Supermarket in Canoga Park, California. He later buried the hen at the Los Angeles Pet Cemetery after a brief memorial service. He also installed a grave marker for the frozen bird, naming her Blinky the Friendly Hen. This seriocomic artwork took the concept and processes of documentation to their most absurd conclusion and offered a striking commentary on our society, the treatment of animals, spirituality and death. The year 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of Vallance’s Blinky project and in celebration of this historic event, California State University Northridge Art Galleries held an exhibition in 2019 featuring a Blinky Chapel, Reliquary Chamber, Theatre and Poultry Gift Shop. In 2020, Edward Cella Art & Architecture gallery also mounted a Blinky show including an extensive relic installation and portable souvenir