Funktionstiere, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, it seems that animals or non-human like beings have come back into the focus of many artists. It may be obvious to turn into something like positive escapism in times that are collectively perceived as stressful. At first sight, this escapism my be connected with the topic or the motive animal in general. 

Actually, the animal has been more present in artistic creation and artistic-scientific research for about 10 years.

In this context, many questions are examined of course, for example the reconsideration of the nature of animals or that different arrangements are designed for a participatory access to art and so on. 

In her works, the artist Cornelia Dorfer deals with different functions that animals can have - from a human-centered point of view. Besides a mere incentive for artistic and creative productions like fashion, design, et cetera, there is a wide range of these functions: As food supplier, brutally kept, to the object of pleasure (hunting, sports), as cuddly toy to the essential companion for people with special needs or in challenging life situations (therapy animals, guide dogs). 

Based on photo collages digital images are further processed into painting. The works seem strange and at the same time familiar, the play with topics such as rapprochement, friendship, abuse and ultimately: alienation. 

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