The history of the Cocker Spaniel as a cuddly creature that can fulfill our longing for partnership and affection predominates over its origins and complex role as a dog bred for hunting and working. Thus Cocker Spaniels not only serve the nobility as lap dogs – the “King Charles Spaniel” – but can also be found working as drug dogs in cuban airports. One derivation of “Spaniel” is the old french word “Espaigneul” used to refer to humiliated, disgraced persons, a clear reference to a long history of imperialism. The exhibition will show how contemporary artists handle this cross-cultural symbol in ironic, critical, and subtle ways.

The exhibition will also be shown at the Kunsthalle zu Kiel (october 26, 2009 till january 10, 2010).

Artists: Cosima von Bonin, Martin Eder, Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Jörg Immendorff, Anna Jermolaewa, Jeff Koons, Annika Larsson, Martin Parr, Bojan Sarcevic, William Wegmann, a.o