Dana
The main focus of my work investigates the place and treatment of animals in today’s society. While presenting cruelty and abuse of animals, it also reflects my concerns regarding the environmental impact of animal-based industries such as the meat and fur industries. This topic is very important to me personally and also led me to become a vegetarian. Other than this theme, my exhibition also includes my early studies of my surroundings with highly figurative pieces. These pieces, which looked at urban decay and focused on my own environment, were used as an introduction for my later work and my focus on environmental themes.
Although my work discusses a strong message, I also attempted to preserve a visually aesthetic aspect by using a large range of materials and techniques. The vast majority of pieces are highly figurative with the initial works being purely observational. In these pieces, I presented the invasion of time and its power over natural orders within an urban setting. These helped me to settle on the theme of human power compared to the vulnerability of nature and led me to create Animal Farm where I was inspired by the work of Damien Hirst who explores themes of death and decay of livestock. Animal Farm uses symbolism, such as the Star of David, which is particularly strong to me due to my Jewish background, to shock the audience and draw attention to the treatment of animals in society. From this idea, I continued to research the position of animals in our society in the series “Caged” which includes the pieces Wingspan, Captivity, Boredom, and Mommy Look What I Got For Christmas, all of which explore animals trapped due to human actions where the last three consider the treatment of animals as a form of entertainment. The last two pieces, Target and Bullseye question the difference between animals that are considered pets, symbolized by the cat, and those destined to be eaten, represented by the target. The act of shooting is inspired by the work of the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle who used performance art to blur the boundaries between the art and the viewer. All seven pieces present scenes of suffering and pain that are intended to confront the viewer and highlight the fear experienced by animals.
The exhibition is built in a large open space and is arranged in a U-shaped configuration. Animal Farm, my biggest piece, is placed on the central wall so it is the first piece seen by the viewers. Next to it, Boredom is hung next to the window so that the natural light works with the lighting in the piece. Both pieces include a monochrome color scheme which allows them to be placed on the same wall without dominating the space. Boredom is placed with the rest of its series, Caged, to present different forms of captivity of wildlife. Target is placed right on the central wall as it is the most colorful dominant piece in the exhibition. It is placed opposite a large television which projects the performance piece Bullseye so that the pieces reflect each other. Lastly, the initial pieces that explore urban decay are placed separately in an exterior corner, which, while still presenting it as a part of the broader exhibition, allows it to have a more intimate space.
I intend that the audience will initially see the aesthetic features of my work and will appreciate my attention to detail. Nevertheless, I hope that the pieces lead the audience to question the place of animals in their day-to-day life, the ones they protect as well as the ones that are eaten or viewed in zoos. I believe that my use of shocking features will lead the viewer to remember my work, prompting introspection and inspiring a shift in attitudes and societal behaviors. Through this body of work, the audience is encouraged to feel a deep sense of empathy for not just animals, but also the natural environment as a whole. This could allow them to critically reflect on their own contributions to the issue, and consider the importance of advocating for change.
Bullseye (February 2024)
Target sculpture (wood, acrylic paint, crochet stuffed animal (acrylic yarn, stuffing)), darts, white overall suits, balloons, fake blood
57 seconds
Bullseye is a performance piece showcasing a group of anonymous people shooting darts at a crucified cat. The anonymity of the group is held by their white suits also highlighting them as responsible for the harm. The action results in the explosion of blood-filled balloons, symbolising the sharp pain experienced by animals globally. Bullseye is inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle who uses performance art to shock the boundaries between the art and the viewer and critique social norms.
