The heart of the project - July 4

I recently met an old dog walking acquaintance - the owner of two full sized Poodles 'Fergus' - now on the glucosamine and 'Charlie' - maybe 3 years old - and completely mad. I only know the dogs names. She asked me what Id been doing? I told her about the "Four Legs"project.

She replied.

"Its the dogs that give me my strongest feeling of community. Its because of them that I walk around in my neighbourhood - if didn't have these two I wouldn't get to meet these people. Just the other day one of my elderly neighbours who I always stop and chat with mistook me for a bird and threw some bread at me. Its our version of the kind of communities you see in Europe or the Pacific- where everyone is out on the street - or on their front step keeping in touch - the dogs give me this sense of involvement - and there's no boundary - the dogs sense of prejudice is not the same as ours - I get to meet all sorts of people I would never meet in any other situation."

The conversation went on like this - I'm not making it up. This was in Auckland - I was dropping Tippy back so that my partner could have the dog back in her life too.

She then said - "but here we feel like such criminals - the 'dog catcher' lurks up there ready to fine us - all the rules are designed to make it impossible to own a dog." I responded by saying that I had turned the corner - I have been so immersed in the dog world where the positives are so clear and so constantly affirmed - that I now felt like its just a matter of time before the fear that has been building around dogs over the last few years will lessen and there will be a move towards an understanding of how brilliant the dog community is -and its all because of the animals.

Saturday 27 June - Dance

I have invited members of the dance community to join the site. Some may not be aware but the "Four Legs" project is diverse. Alongside the key focus of participation in dog walking - are several other side projects. One of these "Commune" - is being explored with the post graduate dance students at Uni, some staff and freelance practitioners as well. The aim of this event has been to take some of the ideas that have arisen from the dog walking and explore them in a theatre/conventional dance context. A kind of reversal of the main project - which has been to take the resources of dance and leave the theatre - "Commune" sets the issues back in the theatre.

The first discussion point explores 'participation vs observing'.

It is suggested that the joy, creativity and potential of dance is found in the 'doing' – that it is the participation in corporeal/embodied activity – i.e. activity that requires all the senses, that produces the experiences of dance. At its core dance is about felt experience through activity.

“Four Legs” explores the idea that the potential for new experience, to feel and sense new experiences exists in our everyday lives. In activities like dog walking our senses are alert – we are actively stumbling into new sensations that are at the heart of creative activity.

This is where the dogs come in and where due to their presence, dog walking becomes dance. With the addition of a dog – as a spontaneous and instinctive influence walking becomes increasingly unpredictable. Or perhaps the experience becomes more lively – an alert and playful dog requires attention. Participation in the unruly activity of dog walking brings new sensations and feelings – that arrive through the 'doing' of the walk. Crucially too, these experiences are unrestrained – they are not tied to a rational or conscious ordering – they come and go as small(or large) interruptions. Is it this appearance of unexpected sensation that is the creative potential of dog walking?

Describing dance in this way is quite a shift from how many would imagine dance. Instead of making steps and music the priority - here movement or action of any sort - that involves the body fully is thought of as dance. The creative potential that resides in 'doing' is the exciting thing - and this version of dance extends the potential it carries to everyone.

Any responses greatfully received. Post to the discussion board.

Purakaunui

Purakaunui Beach - and the Mapoutahi headland - which I understand was breifly a Pa site. A very cold day - we walk around the estuary - and discover the Purakaunui Urupa.

I went for a swim - can you believe it.

What now? June 15

Its time to take stock. With the support of the dog walking community I have gathered a large amount of archives - photos, video, audio, some written contributions - and many cartoons and sketches of variable quality via the "Good dog, bad man' boards in the Uni link. Unlike the drawing of "Monty"- which I rate as tops. Many other side projects are either underway or now complete - some are major undertakings. These have been either collaborations or independent projects by contributors. The response has been fantastic - THANK YOU to everyone who has become involved. Ongoing contributions are still most welcome - and there are a number of future projects still in the mix. I am hoping that "both "Kennel Club" and "Commune" will be realized - its a matter of resources at this stage.

I need to take a bit of time to reflect and then shape all these elements into a presentation that can bring the project together in a cohesive form - to clarify the goals, achievements and future of the project.



This photo is another favourite - it has the shadow of a figure just discernable in the left hand corner - an accident of course in the fading light.

Warrington

Thurs 4 June

What a day! Too much to do and where have all the good times gone? Have you seen the Kuri/dog sculpture on the waterfront - Leander St? Its by Stephen Mulqueen - I hope the link works.


Its application day - all the different funding agencies have their deadline tomorrow - which means the last day for posting is Thurs - and that has to be super quick mail. As a freelancer I have to always have an eye on the future - and the next project - up to two years in advance - which means 24hr days around deadline time.


T and I stop off at the park on the way down the hill from Wakari - I forget its name - yes I pick up. T then has to wait around while I do my posting etc. While we are in the post office I take my eye off her and notice she has shied away and is lying under the table away from the queue - shes letting me know that all is not well - and it becomes clear that the person behind hates dogs and clearly thinks T should NOT be in the post shop. The staff however have a different idea.

We survive and its off to the Waldron - but guess what its wall to wall Ds and regular cop cars and its fun day with guns at the shooting range. And yes they do shoot at figures - take a look.



I'm still hunting a venue for the showing in July - the Aquatic Centre is great but maybe a bit far from the Uni - Dan and I are negotiating on the Old Gym which is perfect. Negotiations prove difficult but things work out when I go straight to the source and deal with the users not the timetable guy.

12.30 and its Logan Park -meet the fabulous Film Clubbers who are still keen on the project in site of many set backs with equipment, dogs and the weather. Its a great school and very busy in the arts. Kristan the Media Studies teacher is fantastic supporting the students and project.


2pm and its Beatrice. We have met before - I'm intrigued by Beatrice's work and interest in things community. I'm tired and generally incoherent but B is onto it. Biscuits and tea help. She also has a garden full of black plants- this is fascinating. Saphy her dog is loving the sun and the special lunch enjoyed before my arrival.

Quick visit with Peter the set designer who is helping out with "Commune" a Uni based side project.

Tomahawk and the crew. Everyone is out. Digby dog Bossdin, Maisie and a couple of stray Schnauzer's.


Alice the lovely black misfit is walked by a very young boy - the dog always pulls and runs away - but shes smart and comes back. The weed eating Shar Pei crosses are out and about. Their walker is the neighbour who cant stand to see them tied up all the time.



Finally its the last thing of the day - a "Commune" meeting. We adjourn to the local bar instead and celebrate Hahna's thesis submission.

Monday June 1

The wild animal theme continues - I am chased from the surf at Allan's Beach by a seal? or is it a sea lion? A big grey thing with a DOC antenna and a serious face on. I was on my own and it wanted me out. Fair enough! Get home to a mouse invasion - they're living in the couch which is sending T spare.

The amateur photos continue - I now have hundreds of out-of-focus am dram shots of nature. A camera its like a microphone or whiteboard maker.

I know what I was on about today - the idea that our experience works like glue - well sort of its a terrible analogy - but the idea is that we are constantly trying to grab a hold of events - to contain or fix them so that we can make sense of things - little anchors - the never ending snapshot. Tragically many things about the way I see the world are being revealed through my nature snaps.

Beagle Club, blogging and "Good dog, bad man"

Thanks to all those who have commented and contributed to the site. Slowly its growing. The 'Good dog, bad man' project is up and running in the link at Uni. So if you feel like contributing drop in and draw a panel.

Scary night - I thought I was going to get trapped over at Warrington - it is sleeting but not snowing yet and the road is open.

Many thanks to Jill and the Beagle Club for letting us attend on Sunday. I think she said it has been running for 20 yrs? About 10 or 12 dogs attended. Clearly the club provides excellent support for owners and is great socially for all. From what I can gather Beagles can be tricky - and the unsuspecting owner is likely to need some support and advice. But isn't that true of all dogs to varying degrees? As Jill said she would prefer to put off a potential owner with some honesty about the Beagle traits than have to rehome a dog later on. I feel like this about all potential new dog owners. Better they are presented with an honest perspective on the demands of dog ownership and decide not to get a dog than come to the realization, having taken the puppy home, that its not for them.

A couple of new topics for discussion. I am still thinking about things community. The other topic relates to diet. Do you think diet can effect a dogs behaviour? What are you feeding your dog? We feed T raw food and she seems to be thriving on it. She took a little while to adjust to all the bone and chomping - but is away now. Green tripe is a favourite - but dont get it on your hands!