Next Wave Festival is upon us and while Melbourne swells with artistic excitement, one man turns his focus to chickens.

On the 30th of May a rumble will shake through Collingwood as a sound stampede moves through the streets, bombarding your eardrums with the sound of chickens. Lamington Drive will be exhibiting the works documenting the concepts and processes behind George Egerton-Warburton’s ambitious project. The exhibition runs from Thursday May 13th to Sunday May 30th with opening night this Wednesday the 12th of May, 6pm-9pm. 

This performance, exhibition and artist book will be a feast for the senses, featuring painting, sculpture, drawing and audio. Come and find out how chickens became a central element in this young artist’s pursuit to culturally reposition Australia.

The Chicken Stampede is George Egerton-Warburton’s rambunctious attempt at highlighting the sterility of contemporary culture. Not one to make a timid point, he is taking it to the streets, loudly and without restraint. He originally hoped to have 500 real-life chickens marching, clucking and flapping down Smith Street, Collingwood, figuratively and literally stamping out sterility. Unfortunately this proved not to be possible and from there the idea of the sound stampede came to life.

The sound stampede welcomes all so bring your friends, your family…your pet chickens. It starts at Lamington Drive at 3pm on the 30th then will turn right at Argyle Street, left at Smith Street and right at Easey Street, before streaming down an alleyway and into the backyard of Next Wave Festival director, Jeff Khan. Drinks and festivities will ensue, so you can put your feet up, let your hair down and celebrate being part of this unconventional, outrageous and visionary project.