William Wegman talks with Housepet Magazine about his muse.
William Wegman has delighted viewers with his unique Weimaraners and his humor when he began taking photographs with his first dog, Man Ray.
In his November, 2005 interview with Asli Ayata, the photographer explains his anthropomorphic images: “‘Anthro,’ in that they are a throwback to ants; ‘po,’ (like Edgar Allen) kind of creepy; ‘morphic,’ sleep inducing, dreamy shape shifting. Also, when dressed up and made tall, they look like humans. They are hybrid people. Mythological.”
His dogs and interest in photography and video as art mediums were practically coincidences; although, in hindsight it seemed the Weimaraners would inevitably be his work’s focus.
“I am in love with my dogs,” gushes Wegman. “When you photograph someone, you are making a map of them in a way. Switch back to life and you see them in a new way. The map helps you know them and you get more and more attached.”
For Wegman, the pictorial challenge is in their posture and creating a human form. That artistic struggle and exploration is where the fun exists. Weimaraners have a deadpan, relaxed appearance. Their grey, neutral coloring compliments anything and allows Wegman to write on them infinitely.
-Marianne Salza, Panopticon Gallery intern
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