Reply To: Share some inspirations

September 12, 2019 at 18 h 22 min #8692

Participant

Dachshund UN
BENNETT MILLER

Welcome to the Dachshund UN assembly where the roles of the representatives of the 47 member states on the UN Human Rights Council are played by… dachshunds!

DETAILS
They might be named Ruth, Otto or Pitou. Their brown, black or beige coats add colour to the décor. The Chinese member barks, the Pakistani grunts or yawns, the American scratches furiously while the French representative enthusiastically licks the Russian. Part free-for-all, part joyous tumult, the outcome of their vigorous debate remains up in the air. Welcome toDachshund UN, where the roles of the 47 national delegates on the UN human rights council are played by… dachshunds.

In the heart of Place des Festivals (Montreal, Canada), the Australian artist and sculptor Bennett Miller showcased in 2013 a miniature replica of a former United Nations office in Geneva. The dogs frolic, romp and debate under the amused eyes of observers. As a surprising spectacle of canine chaos it is hilarious, but this impudent spectacle of human rights policy and international justice is also seriously sharp. Pay careful attention, ladies and gentlemen, for the fate of human rights lies in the tiny paws of wiener dogs!

CREDITS
CREATED BY BENNETT MILLER

ORIGINALLY PRODUCED FOR THE 2010 NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL THROUGH ITS ‘KICKSTART’ DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CO-PRESENTED BY QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES WITH THE SUPPORT OF FIRST CHOICE

WRITTEN BY DIANE JEAN
TRANSLATED BY NEIL KROETSCH

PREMIERED AT MELBOURNE MUSEUM, NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL, MAY 15, 2010