Dogs Unite In The Name Of Art

[~JoLu~]

Link from The West Australian (with photo Gallery): http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest

Dogs unite in the name of art

JANE HAMMOND, The West Australian

November 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

A chaotic cluster of barking dogs with miniature legs and elongated bodies took over the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts precinct today in a show designed to encourage debate on the effectiveness of the United Nations.

WA artist Bennett Miller said the breed had been chosen for the "architectural installation" because of its statesman-like looks, relative immobility and appeal.

The Dachshund UN performed for the first time in Perth before an audience of dog lovers, art lovers and the plain curious.

Close to 65 dogs lined up for a seat at the wiener dog-scale UN table, with 47 taking a place in the improvised UN and the rest on standby in case any of their colleagues became too stressed or overzealous.

There were barkers, fighters, sleepers, gentle dogs, aggressive dogs, excitable dogs and those that chose to simply walk out of the meeting.

Some of the sausage dogs lifted their tiny legs on the installation while the others sniffed at their neighbours, growled or yawned.

Owners took control of their hounds sitting beneath the specially designed tables set up to represent the UN meeting room.

Mr Miller said dachshunds had been chosen for the 45-minute show because they came in three distinct types and were like humans - basically the same but with some different characteristics.

"The show imitates the United Nations and shows how difficult an idea it is, but it is an idea still worth trying," Mr Miller said.

"There is no special choreographing; the dogs just basically do what they want."

The dogs were given the chance to shine at the UN for one show only with a second set of dachshunds ready to take their places at the next performance on November 13. Mr Miller's own dachshund, Ruth, will perform in that show.

All of the 130 dogs selected for the shows come from Perth's thriving sausage dog community with most having no formal thespian training.

The effect was a hilarious and entertaining show that left the audience enthralled and is bound to spark renewed interest in the much-admired but odd-looking German breed.