Zootechnology

In the sculpture series “Zootechnology,” I explore issues related to animal husbandry and human intervention in the creation of life, as well as its manipulation for our own purposes. The starting point is the English Bulldog - one of the most heavily modified dog breeds, often described as man-made.

Human whim brought it into existence, and enthusiasts and breeders protect it from extinction, valuing its loyalty, fidelity, and complete devotion to humans. The process of achieving these traits and its characteristic appearance has also resulted in numerous congenital defects and health problems, which we seem willing to overlook in exchange for our own satisfaction.

In my sculptures, I gradually push the boundaries of this modification, asking: where exactly are they? At what point does the form still represent the original, and when does it become something entirely different? Where does the original form begin to disintegrate, and where does it become the very form of decay itself?