Rockstar, 2010, HD video, 06’03

It has been said that the canine sense of smell is hundreds of times more sensitive to that of human beings. It can be argued that this uniquely detailed perceptual experience points to an empirical intelligence that humans can only imagine. Some canine experts speculate that the pleasure the dog experiences from traveling in a car with his head out the window is like a psychedelic experience – a fantastic rush of the senses. In Rockstar, the artist’s dog, Tom, is portrayed in close up as he travels in this way. The soundtrack is constructed from studio recordings of Tom’s voice, and from car engine recordings. The sound uses rhythm and harmonic modes associated with rock music and car travel.

Rockstar was supported by Intersections Digital Studios, Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Previously shown at:

• “passages”, 2010, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada