“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 exploring tensions between industrialisation and handcrafts to present the mass fabrication of the ultimate in designer pets and designer meats: the sausage-dog.

Isobel Knowles is an award winning artist and animator. Her multidisciplinary practice spans short film, interactive installation, cross-platform performance, music, painting, photography and illustration. Her most recent achievements include winning (along with collaborator, Van Sowerwine) the 2010 Premier of QLD’s National New Media Art Award, being given an Award of Distinction at the 2012 Ars Electronica Festival and making a children’s book with Cat Rabbit published through Thames & Hudson (2012).

Cat Rabbit is a textile artist who predominantly creates anthropomorphised plush animals while imagining the worlds they might live in. Cat’s practice is centred around the idea of making extraordinary objects out of humble materials. Working with soft sculpture and embroidery techniques, Cat creates one of a kind pieces for exhibitions, her online store and selected markets and retailers. Cat has created Owl Know How, a book for Children, with Isobel Knowles as well as being featured in many publications such as Frankie, Peppermint and Yen.