In this multi-layered live performance art installation a performer moves for the benefit of a taxidermy dog in order to elicit a response. The work is a response to Joseph Beuys’ “How to explain pictures to a dead hare” (1965), and is both humourous and disturbing.

In the piece, the power of language is given to the dog instead of to the moving performer. Acting as a muse the performer dances to inspire a response from the deceased dog. The voice over which is engaged in a dialogue between the ideas of avant-garde art and the more mainstream context of the soccer world cup (and sport in general). The work aims to be subversive of both these contexts.

How a dead dog…is multilayered and concept driven. The result of a collaboration between Brink Scholtz, Nicola Elliott and Sonja Smit, it also delivers a commentary on the voicelessness of animals. (No animals were harmed during the production of this work.)

Choreographically, the movement language is inspired by animals, their rhythms and movement. In order to give this humourous and disturbing performance, the performer enters another state, that of the “idiot” shaman (to quote the Beuys influence in the work). This is an unusual work that both stirs the gut responses of audience members and also allows a thinking process that is not confined to one element.

Practicing art, in the context of ‘more pressing’ social, economic and political realities, is frequently defended with the argument that art benefits society by being critical. While presenting this work suggests support for this view, the work is also ironically critical of this defence.

The work was first commissioned for Spier Contemporary 2010.

About the artists:
Brink Scholtz
Recipient of Writing Beyond the Fringe Award (2009).
Recipient of Rhodes University Amnesty International Award for social change through the performing arts (2008).

Residencies
Theatre: De Theatermaker & Theater Troubleyn (Jan Fabre)
Antwerpen, Belgium March 2010
Writing: DeBuren Nederlands/Vlaams Kultuurhuis
Utrecht, The Netherlands April 2010

Artistic Profile
Theatre Direction, includes:
Spyt (2010-2011)
The Adventures of a Little Nobody (2010)
The Swimming Lesson (2009)
Zina and the Songbird (2009)
Halo (2008)
Living Here (2008)
Betti and the Yeti (in collaboration with Dani Marais) (2008)

Nicola Elliott
Masters in Drama (cum laude) 2010. Specialising in Choreography
Choreographed and Directed works, include:
This part should be uncomfortable (part 1)
Essay(er)s in a forgotten elegance
This part should be uncomfortable (Part 2)

Sonja Smit
Masters in Drama (cum laude) 2010 specialising in Choreography
Jonathan Marks Prize for Choreography. (2007)

Work includes
“To the Wall” 2009
“How to move the dead” 2009
“Mole: A look at being looked at”
“Volstruismeidjie” 2010

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