Susan_Rotilie: ReMix YourSelf 4

Here’s my submission for ReMix YourSelf 4.

I set myself some limits by using the term "white" as a keyword, and searching only Japanese works from the MIA Collection.

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Your Dog

Artist: Yoshitomo Nara
Date: 2002
Medium: Sculpture
Size: 72 x 51 x 108 in. (182.88 x 129.54 x 274.32 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 2007.100

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A White Cat Playing with a String

I know...I know cats vs dogs is an obvious choice. (See Denise Cronin's Art Collector Set for more comparisons and contrasts of art works depicting these two creatures.)

But I also think it is interesting to note that the Hiroshige print is actually made for a fan. While the Nara sculpture plays with the idea of a toy or updated Japanese pop art style.

I also think the simple linear style of the Hiroshige is being quoted by Nara in his smoothly cartoon-ish sculpture.

Artist: Hiroshige II
Date: 1863
Medium: Prints, Print-Fan
Size: 8 3/8 x 10 1/2 in. (21.3 x 26.7 cm) (image, sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 74.1.282

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A White Cat Playing with a String

A closer look reveals a real difference in expressive style between these two works. The Hiroshige white cat's expression is much like an actual cat's hunting face. The Nara dog is strangely dreamlike--more like a toy than an actual dog.

One final question: What does Nara mean by titling this sculpture Your Dog? Is it really all mine?

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