If Not for Her Spots

On the Art of Un/naming a New Ass Breed

Author(s)

  • Karin Bolender Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52537/humanimalia.9527

Abstract

This essay explores an interdisciplinary art practice of un/naming rooted in the complex fascination of one human artist with a special breed of domestic beast of burden, known as the American Spotted Ass. Through almost two decades of creative adventures — and, more importantly, daily care and intimate becomings with one gentle, wise tri-colored donkey and her herd of kin — this practice has explored fertile cracks found within hidden histories and colorful promises of this peculiarly “American” ass breed. For all the critical questions and biopolitical frissons that append to the act of splattering spots onto the hides of unassuming Equus asinus, I reckon here with a certain complicity, with knotty shames and passions borne in the privileges of breeding domestic species to suit cultural and personal tastes. After all, it was those troublesome spots that brought me to meet her in the first place, and so to live long and happily with a beloved barnyard companion, one special so-called spotted ass respectfully (un)named Aliass.

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Author Biography

  • Karin Bolender

    Karin Bolender (aka K-Haw Hart) is an artist-researcher who seeks “untold” stories within muddy meshes of mammals, plants, microbes, and many others. As principal investigator of the Rural Alchemy Workshop (R.A.W.), she explores dirty words and entangled wisdoms of earthly bodies through performance, writing, video, and sound. In the company of she-asses Aliass and Passenger, and a far-flung herd of creative collaborators, the R.A.W. cultivates experimental forays like R.A.W. Assmilk Soap, She-Haw TranshumanceGut Sounds Lullaby, and The Unnaming of Aliass

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Published

2021-05-26

Issue

Section

Special Section

How to Cite

“If Not for Her Spots: On the Art of Un Naming a New Ass Breed”. 2021. Humanimalia 10 (1): 133-56. https://doi.org/10.52537/humanimalia.9527.