Welcome
'Four Legs' is a community arts project based on the experiences of dog walking.
Everyone is invited to participate.
This project is about how dogs shape our lives. Based on the stories, memories, joys and benefits of dog walking 'Four Legs' looks at how our dogs influence the ways in which we experience and interact with the world.
'Four Legs' also reflects on the nature of the informal community we become part of as dog owners and how this community produces a sense of belonging that enhances our lives.
All dog owners are invited to participate in the project. There are many possible levels of participation from a simple comment on the discussion boards at popular dog parks to shared walks.
Contributions to this blog site are most welcome. These could be in the form of photographs, short stories or video of your favourite walks. As the project develops this site will gather dog stories from all over Dunedin, to create a network of 'who's who' in the most popular dog areas.
Out of the project will come several different events. The most important entitled 'Four Legs Better Than Two' is the heart of the project. The experiences of dog walking will be gathered in the most inventive ways. Including the use of 'dog cam', shared walks and audio recordings this will be a light hearted and undemanding process. From these records will come the stories of dog walking and the community that we become part of through their influence. To participate in this stage please email me at sean.curham@otago.ac.nz.
The final event will be an informal showing of these stories and records - with plenty of food and drink - to which everyone is invited.
The other projects that from part of 'Four Legs Better Than Two' include an installation at the University called 'Big Dog', a sound work called 'Growly Dog', ongoing discussions on the dog park boards, 'Commune' a project with the post graduate students of the dance programme at the University of Otago , 'Good dog, bad man' a white board cartoon that is contributed to by passers by and a very light hearted project called 'Dog Park Karaoke'.
'Dog Park Karaoke' - is being created in response to the informal nature of the dog community. This event gathers its material through a process of chance encounters reflecting the informal, mobile nature of dog community interactions. We never know who we will meet. Will it be the 'regulars' out walking their dogs or will their be unknown 'newbies' on our patch? There are a number of different recording devices 'floating around' in the dog community - being handed on from person to person. These include postcards, a dog phone, and a camera. By recording your dogs information via these devices you will become part of the project building a profile of your dog.
'Dog Park Karaoke' will then be 'performed' in local parks where owners will trigger this information and a giant image of their dog. Of course more food and drink is required.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Beagle Club, blogging and "Good dog, bad man"
Friday, May 15, 2009
Southern Lurcher Rescue - hello and welcome. 15 May
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Colin and Tippy at 'Rally O'. Friday 15 May #2
Friday. Another good walk with Darlene and Lynn at Blackhead.
I am talked into participating in "Mixed Agendas" which is part of the Allen Hall lunchtime theatre programme. This is an entirely improvised performance, with live musicians and performers. Ali East - a remarkable educator and dance practitioner is event director.
"Kennel Club" another on campus side project is about to appear. More on this is it develops - but it is another attempt to bring dogs to the campus - this time its the staff dogs.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tues 12 May - Another great night at the speedway
Its day four of the storm. We decide to brave Waldronville. First thing this morning it was Ross Creek - only Jude, friend and dog Jake are braving it. The streams are flooded and the road is closed with a tree down. For some reason the rabbits are out in force - must think they've got a clear run - which sends T into orbit - I hardly see her the entire walk - although shes always around, crashing through the bush. The rabbits are jumping out and running along the path! Freezing!
I cant stop taking amateur photos of the speedway - its a project in itself. We meet all the Ls in the rain - Lou, Louie and Lennox.
First meeting for "Commune" - another one of the side project associated with "Four Legs". "Commune"is a camping trip, on a mountain, in a theatre. Sounds a little crazy I know - but more on this soon. It is being developed in collaboration with the post-graduate students of the dance programme with members of the freelance dance community.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thurs 7 May - Is this dance?
Later I catch up with the film club at Logan Park High. They are focused on the 48hr Film Comp this weekend. We'll talk more next week about the dog walking project. I have had this idea during the week about the importance of movement to the "Four Legs" project. Given the fundamental presence of movement in film I raise this with the students. We briefly discuss how the illusion of film is produced through movement - and the role of movement in story telling among other things.
Back to the importance of movement to the "Four Legs" project. "Four Legs"is being developed with the support of the Dance Programme at the University of Otago. In creating the project I have suggested that many of the elements people look for in dance are strongly present in our daily activities like dog walking.
This project definitely challenges what we think of as dance. If the conventions of skill, virtuosity and the desirable body are set aside, what is it that we seek in dance? I think both audiences and practitioners are looking for a new experience - an experience that can sidestep language or the familiar to reveal something new. Through being a 'sensory' or embodied event this perhaps is more immediate and therefore less controlled or censored?
With the "Four Legs" project I am exploring the idea that these type of experiences are present in our daily rituals and habits. That dog walking contains a sense of discovery, of adventure, risk and the potential to reveal something 'new'. The dogs spontaneous, intuitive behaviour adds an uncertainty that heightens this potential for our habitual experience of the world to be disrupted.
There is more to this - as I continue to consider how I am engaging with movement I am slowly realizing how wedded I am to the relationship between movement and sensation. I know see this as a problem.
PS I hope the Logan Parkers win the film comp!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mon 4 May - camera returns
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tues May 5 - Dog cam
These two are always on the beach roughing each other up - really the best of mates with the best names.
"Dog cam" is up an running. It works!! Sharon from Canvas Works has modified a dog coat to carry a camera and GPS unit. The GPS remains untried - but the camera is all go. It sits out from the shoulder of the dog and has a clear view forward. Neville's' dog Syd has had a good go - with great success - Paula's' dog Hooch took a more sedate and dignified approach with a quick trip around the streets in between showers. Tippy hated it and would only participate under duress.