MODEN:Start/EXHIBITIONS/domestikation: Difference between revisions

[[File:felixsattler_domestikation_03.jpg|thumb|right|250px|detailed view of the dog leashes and collars]]We tend to regard those first as a practical tool to carry out human power over animals. To us, it was even more important that they publicly visualize a distinct "channel" between human and animal. The diversity of available leashes on the market displays much of the emotional quality of human-animal relationships as well as the real or intended social status of each "pair" or "couple". Furthermore, dressage is always about creating an anthropomorphic animal, which is probably most convincingly pointed out in the genre of comic films featuring animal protagonists. We felt the need to show that there is also a cultural technique reversing this making of the anthropomorphic animal: As in certain sex practices, humans sometimes also tend to "play animal", which is why we added a leash from the stock of a sex toys manufacturer to the display.

The "Wall of Fame" shows a custom selection of animal trophies – medals, show ribbons, sashs, rosettes and a cup. [[File:felixsattler_domestikation_05.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Elisabeth Kaufmann & Felix Sattler: Kalkül und Leidenschaft II: Wettbewerb ("Wall of Fame")]] [[File:felixsattler_domestikation_06.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Wall of Fame, detailed view]] Animal races, fights and shows have a long-standing history in many cultures. Some are even constitutive for a people's social fabric. One of the most notable investigations has been Clifford Geertz ethnographic work on the cock fights in the Balinese society. His findings have been important for developing general theories of play such as of Roger Caillois and others. The "Reason and Emotion" series is far from being an adaption of Caillois’ four categories of play for the theory and practice of animal domestication. However we were somewhat inspired by his approach, which especially shows in our "agon" installation (= competition, Caillois used Greek names to label his categories).<br>

For us it was important that animal competitions had an ambivalent concept about them that appears sometimes "technical", i.e. it is argued necessary for breeding and pedigree assessment, while at the same time being very colourful and highly ritualized events. For example, the often exciting betting that powers (not only) German horse-racing, is deregulated by the government because it is not regarded as play but as a necessary process in breeding assessment.<br>