Europe
João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva
Shisa Dog and Chicken
2015
João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva, Shisa Dog and Chicken, 2015. Film stills.
The artist duo João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva traveled to Japan for a month to make a series of short 16mm films, often shot in slow-motion. This film, Shisa Dog and Chicken shown in continuous loop, captures a traditional Shisa (combination of a dog and lion from Okinawan mythology) animated by an invisible person. Meanwhile chickens walk or flutter across the screen. The slow motion footage combines centuries old ceremony with daily life, to produce an otherworldly situation. The film was co-commissioned with REDCAT in Los Angeles, for an exhibition entitled One month without filming, curated by Ruth Estévez.
Portuguese artists João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva have been collaborating since 2001. They typically work in short film, sculpture and installation. Their films often use slow-motion and other uncomplicated effects to achieve uncanny or paranormal results.