“A matter of factory”
Isobel Knowles and Cat Rabbit
13 Sept → 12 Oct 2013

Humans like to bend the universe to their will. Curiosity leads to experimentation, invention and eventually enterprise. As the dominant species humans can create new life forms, shape and design specialised pets, guide ‘natural selection’ in farm animals. Humans are constantly breeding in the profitable traits (or defects) without too much thought for the repercussions.

Humans are also currently interested in local and handmade products. In this climate the successful micro-business may thrive and reach a point where they need to choose whether to embrace the success and expand to meet demand or whether they remain simply self-sustaining without economic growth. To industrialise, or not to industrialise? That is the question.

Made up of ephemeral kinetic cardboard structures and ghost-like animations, A matter of factory is an installation by Isobel Knowles and Cat Rabbit exploring tensions between industrialisation and handcrafts to present the mass fabrication of the ultimate in designer pets and designer meats: the sausage-dog.