Fascinating birds from my bird room
One of the focal points at my home in Bedford is my large canary cage, which contains a sizable population of beautiful and melodious red and orange canaries. The cage sits in a small dining room located through the kitchen servery and at first, I wasn't sure how to decorate the walls. A couple of years ago, I was visiting Art Basel Miami Beach,  said to be the most important art show in the United States, when I came upon a collection of ten most unusual bird portraits by Belgium-based contemporary artist, Carsten Höller.
What makes this collection so unique is that the birds were not born naturally, but were the result of scientific genetic mutation. Carsten Höller, who studied biology before becoming an artist, was drawn to the exotic plumage of these birds. He used a 19th century process called photogravure, in which a photographic image is etched onto a copper plate and then printed in ink. These limited edition prints are a fascinating study in black, white, and shades of gray and are perfect for what is now called 'the bird room.' Please enjoy this photo gallery.
Huh? So now we have genetically modified birds? What do they eat, genetically modified corn and soy? Jeepers.
Posted by: Carol | March 24th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Good Morning , Martha,
what a beautiful, calm & elegant room . A perfect background for this bird theme. - What is the wall colors name ?
Do you enjoy this room early in the morning with a cup of coffee , while the birds are greeting the new day or do you prefer a glas of wine in the evening before the birds are going to sleep ? What about the behavior of your cats & dogs or do they have to stay out ?
Have a very nice day
Dani & cats
Posted by: Daniela Schimpf | March 24th, 2009 at 6:56 am
What a lovely and pleasant room! How many canaries do you have? It must be quite melodious.
Posted by: Joyce | March 24th, 2009 at 7:08 am
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Posted by: randy kallok | March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I was just to a bird show while on holiday. I love all the beautiful colors in the different feathers!
Posted by: Kari | March 24th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I really enjoy ur daily blog, u so easily and freely allow us all 2 view a most fascinating world, Carsten Holler has ur birds, well his birds, on his website, certainly being a biologist brings a different dimension to his art.....tks M
Posted by: Charmayne | March 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Hi Martha,
You have a real nice room there and the bird prints give it just the right atmosphere; it looks cozy. I see you have a couple of cat or doggy beds in the corner so they can watch but not touch I suppose! I like that you share the inside of your houses with us. Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 24th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I am sure this room is a cheerful one, full of natural light and beautiful song! I would LOVE such a set up in my home but, like many I'm sure, can't accommodate such a vast aviary! How wonderful for you, though! I can't EVEN imagine all their beauty, their varied voices, and all the flutter activity! As others have asked, DO you allow the kc's (kc = kittycats = furry balls of badness) to enter this room?! If not, I'm SURE it is v-e-r-y tantalizing for their little twitching noses! It is beautiful, nevertheless, and I do love your framed birds around the walls. How befitting! At a quick glance without seeing details, one could think your prints are from JJAudubon!
One of my delights in springtime is that it brings a lot of bird activity (outdoors). They've recently become very active and vocal and can even be heard indoors with the windows still closed. When certain species arrive (migrate in), it's so exciting, as if one is seeing an old friend he/she hasn't seen in a very long time (which is basically true in this case) - it's an indescribable feeling - very rewarding!
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
=^..^=
"To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves."--Gandhi
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | March 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I have a special affinity for birds! For years I had a Mexican redhead, cockatiels and finches. Lately, I stick with pictures and figurines. One of my favorite things is to watch birds take a bath~such joy and abandon!
Posted by: Tommie Jo | March 24th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hi Martha, How lucky your birds are to have such a beautiful room to live in! It looks so serene and their cage is fantastic. I can almost hear the amazing tweets eminating from their room. The stunning photos on all of the walls remind me of Audubon and other artists. They certainly were a great choice for this lovely room. Thanks again for sharing. Have a great day everyone. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I did enjoy these pictures. The room & birds are lovely, & the setting is peaceful. When the birds are singing, it must be all that more beautiful.
Posted by: Sherry | March 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
really love the wall color. would you share the details with us? gray tones are both calming and complementary to so many other accent colors, but finding a gray with good tonal properties that isn't flat can be a challenge. thanks.
Posted by: lil | March 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
The room is welcoming and calm. Great interior. I love the colour scheme and the bird prints look fantastic!
Posted by: Ivory pearl Interiors | March 24th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Martha, For quite sometime, I have wanted to let you know that I believe you are a remarkable person. I admire your courage and resiliance. Your success is inspirational!
Posted by: dana christensen | March 25th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Martha, thank you for a truly wonderful look into your bird room. I really loved pictures 17 and 19 of the birds. 17 looks like it has on a fluffy white fur coat and 19 looks like it has real hair.
Posted by: Jeannie Stacik | March 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Ah, this blog is after my own heart. I love birds and find watching them fascinating. At the moment I just have a little blue budgie bird but he is an entertaining little fellow. Always chattering and chirping. I'm sure all your canaries are good company for you too.
Posted by: Maureen | March 25th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I love it, love it, love it! Picture # 6 is my favorite.
Posted by: Melissa Gutierrez | March 25th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
We are very happy that Carsten Höller's Birds that we published found such a wonderful place in your house.
We love it!
Niels Borch Jensen Gallery
Posted by: Isabelle Gräfin Du Moulin | April 1st, 2009 at 4:55 am
Very cool photogravures. #17 is very regal in it's feather stole. I bet the photogravures look beautiful in the candlelight, since they usually have a silvery glow about them.
Posted by: Mary Lou McCambridge | April 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi Martha,
After being laid-off I recently started my dog walking/pet care service. Even though I have yet to have my first client, I am anxious to get the ball rolling.
I have a collection of Lady Head Vases and am wondering if you ever heard of them? With being laid-off I needed to pack up my collection and store them at my sister's while I try to sell my house. Would love to see a weekly or daily segment on your show about interesting things that people collect.
thank you,
your fellow self-employed woman -Deb
Posted by: Deb | May 11th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Your "Bird Room" looks soooo elegant and peaceful; a room that would inspire good conversation and enjoyment of good food. Have never heard of birds that were the result of special breeding; the results are spectacular!! Am wondering if your canaries sing/tweet when you have guests in your beautiful dining room or do they listen to the conversation?
Thank you for sharing such beauty!
Posted by: Karen Lighthall | May 15th, 2009 at 8:41 am
wonderful indeed.I would love to spend sometime there.
Posted by: mary | June 27th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I love the serene atmosphere and the soothing colors.
Posted by: Stefanie Rinza | November 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pm