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The Trained Animal

On the Transformation and Regulation of Living Things

Until today, the popularity of Animal Training since the mid-19th century continues. People are fascinated by the narrative behind this subject, and believe that the methods enable us to control and make use of animal behaviour. Especially in show dressage, behavioral research, military, film, and neuroscience the trained animal is made functional in this way. Alongside specific cases from these areas, the project aims to formulate a cultural history of training animals in modern times, while observing moments of disobedience, desertion and the training of animals as a marginal figure.

Cooperation partner and funding

The research project is carried out in cooperation with the Internationales Forschungszentrum Kulturwissenschaften at the University of Art and Design Linz (Vienna).