THE DOGNESS BETWEEN US

This work was developed in collaboration with Šimona Cichá as part of the Erasmus+ project A Journey Through Creativity, organized and supported by East Slovak Gallery at Košice and Precious Plastic SK.

The organic shape of the object is inspired by a microscopic view of the kidney—specifically the glomeruli, the vascular clusters responsible for blood filtration. Cortisol, produced in the adrenal glands in response to stress, increases their activity, leading to hyperfiltration and long-term wear and tear of their structure. The asymmetry of the sculpture is a direct reference to the complexity and mutual unevenness of the relationship between dogs and humans.

Dog hair obtained from grooming salons complements the contrast that the artwork operates with on multiple levels. It empirically observes dogs that have a stable background, as well as those without a home. The arrangement of the hair on the object is a direct reference to the so-called "ladder of aggression." In a dog, it is relatively easy to read and direct, which cannot be said for humans. We are complicated, we manipulate, we pretend, and our figurative ladder of aggression is therefore longer.

The sound of the installation is a combination of recordings captured while getting to know the dogs at the shelter. A dog transitioning from calm breathing to sharp warning signs represents a mutual search for boundaries, uncertainty, fear, finding trust, and defining personal space. During the recording, there was a fence between us and the dogs—a barrier that protected them from us, yet a clear uncertainty could be felt. On both sides.

In the installation, this barrier is broken. Together with a pleasant carpet, it erases the defined space for the dog and creates an opportunity to lower oneself to its level, touch the installation, look into the author's publication, and perhaps into the very core of the canine world.

The sculptural part consists of a metal structure, epoxy resin, and dog hair, complemented by metal mesh, carpet, and a sound sensor. The artist’s publication is presented in book form and includes photographic material, ink drawings, and digital illustrations

The publication is a combination of photographs, illustrations, and the author's own text. It is the result of empirical observation of the canine world from multiple angles. The photographs were taken during visits to a shelter in Košice, in a home environment, on the grounds of a dog training center, a dog gym, but also on the street during an ordinary day.

Together with the illustrations, they capture the diversity of dog breeds, their lifestyle, and their emotional state. The author's text takes the form of free-flowing prose based on personal feelings during the process, but it is also backed by important information obtained from interviews with veterinarians and people who dedicate their daily lives to dogs. This scientific aspect of the publication is supported by photographs of specimens and images obtained during visits to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.