William Wegman's canine muses star in 'Being Human' at MASILugano
MASILugano presents 'Being Human', a survey of William Wegman's photographic work featuring his Weimaraner dogs. The exhibition includes around one hundred images, primarily large-format Polaroids replaced in recent years by pigment prints, plus rare films from the 1970s. Curated by William Ewing, the show is divided into sections such as 'Gente come noi', 'Nudi', 'Racconti', 'Cubismo', 'Feste in maschera', 'Seduto!', 'Allucinazioni', 'Campiture di colore', and 'Vogue'. Wegman's relationship with his dogs began with Man Ray, followed by Fay Ray, Penny, Boppin, Chip, Chundo, Crooky, and their puppies. The artist, born in Holyoke in 1943, participated in the landmark 1969 exhibition 'When Attitudes Become Form'. The curatorial premise challenges anthropocentric views, suggesting the dogs represent human archetypes: housewife, astronaut, lawyer, priest, farmer, even a dog sitter. Works include 'Perhaps religious' (2004), a dog's shroud resembling Veronica's veil.
Key facts
- William Wegman's exhibition 'Being Human' is at MASILugano.
- The show features around one hundred images, mostly large Polaroids and pigment prints.
- Rare films from the 1970s are included at the end of the exhibition.
- The exhibition is curated by William Ewing.
- Sections include 'Gente come noi', 'Nudi', 'Racconti', 'Cubismo', 'Feste in maschera', 'Seduto!', 'Allucinazioni', 'Campiture di colore', and 'Vogue'.
- Wegman's first Weimaraner was named Man Ray.
- Wegman participated in the 1969 exhibition 'When Attitudes Become Form'.
- The work 'Perhaps religious' (2004) depicts a dog's shroud.
Entities
Artists
- William Wegman
- Man Ray
- Fay Ray
- Penny
- Boppin
- Chip
- Chundo
- Crooky
- William Ewing
Institutions
- MASILugano
- Artribune
Locations
- Holyoke
- Lugano
- Switzerland