Non-Human (selected works)
Additional work on the Non-Human is part of the Horror Vacui (Nature abhors a vacuum. What do we make of its plentitude?)
A disturbing article was published on Tuesday 1/20/15 in the New York times detailing human efforts to shape livestock for greater profit and productivity. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/dining/animal-welfare-at-risk-in-experiments-for-meat-industry.html
The economics in the meat industry, consumer expectations and an lack of understanding and ethics regarding the treatment of the non-human. My creative work on the subject of the non-human is not focused on animal welfare or rights. However, it is on the nature of the human and non-human relationship which speaks broadly to all aspects of our lives.
Linebred Herefords (new series) - Anxiety 4d 9904
This is a series in process working with the history of the Hereford Breed of Cattle. This work is emerging from the prior series of work entitled "STOCK ID." I am not sure yet if it really will fit a new series or work yet or should be positioned back with the STOCK ID. However, I am testing it now. The composite pieces above, Anxiety 4d 9904_BeauBrummel 51817 and Anxiety 4d 9904_DonCarlos 33734, features an image (edited) of the noted herd sires, Beau Brummel at age 7 and Don Carlos, at age 11. The original pictures (unedited) were taken in the winter of 1897-1898 and were published in a book by Jno. Hazelton. The Linebred Herefords series incorporates a historical perspective in my creative inquiry that was not part of the original STOCK ID series. This is the primary reason I believe it is a significant break from the prior work. See the silent film version of Beau Brummel (the person not the Hereford bull)
This is a series in process working with the history of the Hereford Breed of Cattle. This work is emerging from the prior series of work entitled "STOCK ID." I am not sure yet if it really will fit a new series or work yet or should be positioned back with the STOCK ID. However, I am testing it now. The composite pieces above, Anxiety 4d 9904_BeauBrummel 51817 and Anxiety 4d 9904_DonCarlos 33734, features an image (edited) of the noted herd sires, Beau Brummel at age 7 and Don Carlos, at age 11. The original pictures (unedited) were taken in the winter of 1897-1898 and were published in a book by Jno. Hazelton. The Linebred Herefords series incorporates a historical perspective in my creative inquiry that was not part of the original STOCK ID series. This is the primary reason I believe it is a significant break from the prior work. See the silent film version of Beau Brummel (the person not the Hereford bull)
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The Gudgell and Simpson Herdsire, Beau Brummel (b. 1890) is the namesake of an iconic of a fastidious fashion icon and celebrity of England (b. 1778). Considered the original "dandy" for spending vast parts of his fortune on clothing and hours each day getting dressed, Beau Brummel was also a charismatic. "A single hair annoyed him." Hereford sires were often given names such as "Lord Wilton" and "Sir Benjamin" in England prior to importation.
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K. Lair. Horace (3877) _ JPrice of the Court House, digital print, 2014
Horace (3877) _ JPrice of the Court House
John Price "rescued Horace from the butcher." He loved his bloodlines and invested heavily on using Horace (bred by Mr. J. Davies of Preston Court) as herdsire. Horace traced back to notable herdsires and show ring winners as Pembridge (721) and Sir David (349). Sir David being the regarded as the greatest show bull and sire for generations was conceived as an accidental crossing by a bull named, "Chance" and one of his daughters. Chance himself was the result of an unplanned mating and unknown sire. Sir David was bought by Edward Price (John Price's father) who sired the noted bull, Pembridge and a grandsire of Shamrock 2d, whose bloodline traces strongly to Horace (3877). Several sons of Horace gained great reputation but the best known is the Grove 3d.
John Price "rescued Horace from the butcher." He loved his bloodlines and invested heavily on using Horace (bred by Mr. J. Davies of Preston Court) as herdsire. Horace traced back to notable herdsires and show ring winners as Pembridge (721) and Sir David (349). Sir David being the regarded as the greatest show bull and sire for generations was conceived as an accidental crossing by a bull named, "Chance" and one of his daughters. Chance himself was the result of an unplanned mating and unknown sire. Sir David was bought by Edward Price (John Price's father) who sired the noted bull, Pembridge and a grandsire of Shamrock 2d, whose bloodline traces strongly to Horace (3877). Several sons of Horace gained great reputation but the best known is the Grove 3d.
STOCK ID - 2001 - (selected works)
STOCK ID
The STOCK ID series is based on identification numbers used for livestock. Typically, they are used to identify sheep for short-term purposes such as auctions. The numbers are dipped in a lanolin based paint then applied on the wool. The material of the paint, the wool, the form and structure of the animal work with the graphic ID to create an interesting ephemera composition. The numbers also invoke other ideas about commodification and dehumanization. The contrast between images of the ID as coercion and control versus as an almost naturalistic, passive quality gives it a compelling tension.
The STOCK ID series is based on identification numbers used for livestock. Typically, they are used to identify sheep for short-term purposes such as auctions. The numbers are dipped in a lanolin based paint then applied on the wool. The material of the paint, the wool, the form and structure of the animal work with the graphic ID to create an interesting ephemera composition. The numbers also invoke other ideas about commodification and dehumanization. The contrast between images of the ID as coercion and control versus as an almost naturalistic, passive quality gives it a compelling tension.
Giant (The Bonnie Domino Family) , 2014
This new work is included as part of the Stock ID series. Giant was a bull selected as part of the initial effort to create a new breed of Herefords genetically without horns. Giant (b. 1899) is listed as the first sire of the Polled Hereford Breed. He was a "freak" who under developed due to lack of proper nutrition while young. He was outcast from one breed into the founder of genetic "greatness" of a new breed. The history of the Hereford Breed is well documented and is at the the origins of "livestock improvement." I am currently developing new work utilizing aspects of pedigree and non-human histories in agriculture.
K. Lair. Giant (The Bonnie Domino Family) digital image, 2014
Numbers used in Stock ID with Lanolin based paint
Stu - (video, running time 6 min 34 sec, 2013)
“Stu” is a short digital video made in the summer of 2013. The video is mostly a single shot perspective of a llama (Stu) observing the camera and videographer. We are unaccustomed to the lengthy gaze and focus that Stu performs. The video was spontaneous and yet provided a needed counter-balance to the “Katrina” video of a llama under stress. Stu’s attentive, curiosity is typical of llamas. They seem to be far more careful observers than humans. The video is intended to contrast the typical wildlife experience that is presented in media and often focuses on a very small part of the animal’s lives. During a trip to the Serengeti in 2013, I was confronted with guided experiences, controlled situations and consistent wildlife narratives. Some of the recent observations of animal intelligence and behavior seem to have been “discoveries” we might have made far sooner, if not for the entrenched assumptions and biases we have held about non-humans. It is a significant challenge to unlearn our habits and assumptions and revisit the human/non-human relationship in more meaningful ways.
Katrina- (video, running time 6 min, 2013)
The video Katrina is part of the Horror Vacui investigation; however, now it seems to be better suited to be included here in the Non-Human after "Stu."
EQ Series 2001 - (selected works)
