The art exhibited at Whitney Biennial 2008 is inspired by bird excrement and fairy tales and it aims to “take the temperature of art in the United States.”

The show at New York City's Whitney Museum has pieces from 81 artists and multimedia installations.

According to museum director Adam Weinberg, the pieces are “somehow capturing a certain moment, a certain sense of the present,” Reuters reports.

“We turn to these artists to tell us where we are and to help us look into the mind of the moment,” Weinberg said.

“You have to be open minded when you are looking at art -- there are some things you will like right away, there are other things you won't get at all. Art has its rules, they are not as fixed as sports, but you have to give art a chance to understand the rules the artist is setting out,” he added.

Weinberg said that some of the visitors might not appreciate all the works.

Artist Matt Mullican, New York, used in his work drawing, sculpture, video, painting, electronic media and installation.

A plaque next to his display says that he is using hypnosis since the late 1970s.

It says: "During performances that often last many hours, the artist, in a trance, might pace the floor, chant and draw or paint in black acrylic ink on large pieces of paper, bedsheets or the wall itself."

Mika Rottenberg’s installation depicts a ramshackle goat farm and uses videos in order to investigate social issues like class discriminations and labor.

Another artist, Charles Long, used sculpture of birds inspired by "the markings made by great blue heron excrement" in cement banks along the Los Angeles river. He uses scavenged river junk and deposit.

Other installations include that of a large kitty tray, and wooden platforms and fish tanks with soda and flowers in another one in what is called "While Enhancing a Diminishing Deep Down Thirst the Juice Broke Loose (the Birth of a Soda Shop)."

Also performance art is on display at the Whitney Biennial. One of the themes is a gypsy feast where the food, drink, decorations and guests become the art.