The Dog in Me

In the lecture-performance The Dog in Me, a queer fetish cat lectures the audience on non-human animals. Somewhere between stand-up comedy, philosophical contemplation, and animal rights activism, the lecture takes the audience on a journey to conquer the status quo.

The sassy and ambiguous character embodied by David Attenberger dares the listeners to abandon their faith in human exceptionalism. Inspired by theorists of animal ethics, animal studies, and queer feminism, the cat seduces and, at the same time, makes fun of the audience. While constantly returning to the example of the dog, the cat’s speech dismantles the dogs as allies of humankind. The cat does acknowledge them as the smart beings they are, taking advantage of their alliance with these most widespread and destructive mammals. Referring to their emotional and biological entanglement that emerged from their co-evolution, the performance blurs the line between these two species. It frames dogs as human animals and, conversely, humans as canine animals. In doing so, it leaves its scratches on the idea of the human as a self-contained and independent success story.

Written and directed: Benjamin Egger
Fetish cat: David Attenberger
Costume: Benjamin Egger and Fantastic Rubber
Mask: Benjamin Egger in collaboration with Florian Germann
Cat pole: Benjamin Egger in collaboration with Ortreport
Light design: Benjamin Egger and Jasmin Wiesli
Text: Benjamin Egger
Dramaturgical advice: Teresa Vittucci
 

Supported by Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council