Fake Animals: Intimacies with the Non-Living as a Substitute for the Living Animals (2023-2024)
We live in an era of fake news (hoax news, propaganda, misinformation). Yet, this fakeness extends beyond the realm of news and seeps deeply into various aspects of our Western existence. There is a noticeable decline of Western citizens in genuine animal interactions, except for those with domesticated animals. Instead, we seem to accumulate a plethora of fake species around us, ranging from animal-patterned attire to various animal sculptures adorning our indoor and outdoor spaces. This includes an array of inflatable plastic animals that accompany us on sunny excursions to the water's edge. Our innate need for the presence of animals and a certain intimacy with them remains unchanged. However, the modern relationship with animals in Western society has become increasingly complex, leading us to substitute real animals with their artificial counterparts. In this ongoing artistic endeavor, I gather images of fake animals that reside near our homes, serving as replacements for their living counterparts.
