Caninetopology: Ecce Canis

The focus of interactive installation of Maja Smrekar is based on biotechnological evidence of mutuality in functioning of serotonin receptors in the brain synapses of a dog and a human. The exhibition allows visitors to experience the smell of serotonin, which is across the poetics of the project a key element for understanding interspecies communication through the sense of smell. The interaction generally proves that we live in a very optocentrical society and proves how poorly developed sense of smell we have as a result of the development of a culture with predispositions based on verbal/audio and particularly visual communications, while the communication through smell remained primarily the imperative of dogs. Nevertheless, we manage to establish a strong mutual emotional synergy, which is the central phenomenology of authorial opus Caninetopology. The sensory experience is therefore an effective entry-level for audience to question the human relationship to smell and to living one, who uses smell in all its diversity and saturation to sign and symbolic signification.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Slovenia, Municipality of Ljubljana - Department of Culture. The project is included in an incubation module of the project ‘KiiCS’/’Knowledge Incubation in Innovation and Creation for Science’ project, supported by European Commission’s 7th Framework Program.

Prepared by Maja Smrekar and Kapelica Gallery.