Belgian performance artist Benjamin Verdonck made headlines in May 2008 when he built a large bird's nest on the side of a skyscraper in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

As part of a project called "The Great Swallow," Verdonck sat in his nest for several days looking down at a giant egg he'd placed in the street below.*Telegraph.co.uk: Birdman 'Flies' From Nest on Side of Skyscraper (May 21, 2008)

"The performance represents the struggle of a man who wants to embrace the public, but in doing so must eventually fall out of the nest."—Verdonck spokesperson*Telegraph.co.uk: Birdman 'Flies' From Nest on Side of Skyscraper (May 21, 2008)

"I really long for small-scale actions and then preferably actions bordering on illegality."—Bernard Verdonck*Telegraph.co.uk: Birdman 'Flies' From Nest on Side of Skyscraper (May 21, 2008)

• YouTube Video: The Great Swallow (Time: 0:51)