Good Dog Bad Dog
A set of three mixed media installations, video silent, 2010
The use of dogs as metaphor of the human condition has
a long history in art. More specifically to this exhibition I was most
interested in issues of pluralism vs. polarization, for the dog is
a diverse being – at one time exemplifying all the best human traits,
such as loyalty, dedication, unconditional love, obedience; at another,
the most deplorable ones, such as viciousness, filth, disgust.
Cross-cultural
opinions of dogs vary from “man’s best friend” to pariah. By extension,
in human encounters, the “other” is often judged in terms of good or
of evil; trusted or feared. Through video, installation and the hybridization
of familiar dog/human cultural artifacts, these works occupy the space
between the two poles.
Exhibition History>
2010 Artcite Inc. Windsor ON
2011 (broken bone component) Whitdel Arts Detroit MI
2010 (doghouse component) Gallery Project Ann Arbor MI