Collusion

2010
Bronze, mild-steel, copper rod and wire

The meeting of instincts, in the act of play – acceptance of this other mammal’s proclivity for gratuitous violence. The felt toy is like the ‘bullet-ridden’ enemy practice target. There is an oblique relationship to drawings in the Altamira caves, in which the ritual acts of making the marks were intended to ensure a forthcoming successful hunt – a prey’s demise had already been connived. Here, the cat has lost interest and walked away, the owner having just dropped the wand, at the end of play. The owner has partnered with the cat in the activity, enjoying the tugging ferocity, the lunging attacks, while also pretending to help the quarry to escape, providing further temptation for the raking claws.