Output details
34 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
University of Lincoln
Licking dogs [single screen video projection]
Context
In this single-screen video projection, the physical gap between humans and animals is closed, if only for a moment, when they touch, and can be important for how we physically and psychologically relate to that which we perceive as other.
This is central to the research in 'Licking Dogs' that analyses the patriarchal notion that women are more social and animal than men, and how this becomes apparent when they are seen to physically engage with a non-human species.
Process
An aim was to explore what constitutes acceptable and appropriate relations between a female human and four dogs, marked aggressive or anti-social by their breed characteristics. The implied danger presented by the dogs reflects back onto the woman positioned as agitator to provoke questions regarding her status. The canine and human mouths exchange licks, which challenges appropriate levels of intimacy across socio-biological boundaries.
Insight
A collision of animality and humanity is engaged, which raises questions about the parameters of each participant. An analysis of each participant is presented and preconceptions are challenged. Through this, it becomes possible to question the appropriateness of Bartram’s action as the human, and supposedly more ‘social’ being, and about the preconception of dogs as biting, aggressive animals.
Sharing
Bartram was selected by Art & Language and Raster Gallery as one of 25 artists for East International 2009 (submission 1,028, 8,965 visitors), East Video and East Discourse. 'Licking Dogs' was then selected by Magdalena Kownacka as one of four works for 'East Goes East', Bunkier Sztuki gallery, Krakow (2010). The research has shown at 'The Future Can Wait', London (2008); 'Animalism', National Media Museum, Bradford (2009); 'The Animal Gaze' (London, 2008; Plymouth, 2009; Sheffield, 2011); V Kunst, Galerie Schuster, Frankfurt (2009); '3 Worlds in 1: London International' curated by Edward Lucie-Smith, Klaipeda Culture Communication Centre, Lithuania (2011).
