MAN AND BEAST
Special exhibition, German Hygiene Museum, Dresden, Germany, 2000 sq.m., 2002

Art Director at Steiner Sarnen Swiss

The exhibition recounted the story of a fascinating and gripping relationship in four chapters.
Beloved animals Whether pet or symbol of power, sporting pal or hunting object: the animal as an inexhaustible source of fascination and enjoyment. Exploited animals Working beast and source of meat, laboratory animal and source of raw-material: man has been exploiting animals for over 10'000 years. The dividing line Is the human being a naked ape? The vexing and ancient puzzle about the borderline between man and beast is gaining new importance in these times of speeding scientific developments. The union Hybrids, animal gods, myth and magic: animals have been used for man's projections of his desires and dreams all along. Will they be replaced by the promises of the sciences in future?
The dividing line between man and beast as a scenographic vehicle The mesh fence borderline, the dividing line between man and beast, served as main artistic principle, as a huge vehicle transporting the various themes and numerous exhibits as a whole. Meandering through the first large exhibition rooms, the mesh fence contained the installations and display cases: the spectator found himself in front of the mesh fence, whereas the animal exhibits stayed imprisoned behind it.
The sublety of this design lay in the fact that it not only cited the idea of a border, but disintegrated it simultaneously: the visitors passed through the borderline separating man and beast and arrived in a dark mysterious cult room, in an altogether different sphere. Man and beast are no longer two. Three pools, filled with the primeval liquids water, blood and sperm, create rooms of archaic dimensions, opening hearts to emotions, touching a hidden core, reminding of those ages when man and beast were one. This room encouraged dreams and visions and the imaginary power of art. This room signified a changing point.