Valentina Gal (1994) started out investigating various groups in society. In doing so, she learned about the world of professional dog shows. At first there was a certain curiosity about what motivated these owners. The longer she studied the subject, the more Gal became part of their world.

By grooming and styling, owners create a living sculpture. A successful sculpture follows a certain routine and must present itself to a jury and audience, in order to become Best of Breed. The living sculpture is found suitable for reproduction by breeding.

Gal wishes to show the status quo between humans and dogs. Humans control dogs, or so they think. However, humans are being manipulated by hyperrealistic influences such as social-media, and are losing track of the threshold between the real and the unreal. In Valentina’s hyperrealistic world, dogs en humans merge.

http://www.instagram.com/valentina_gal/