Dachshund U.N. is both a large-scale architectural installation and a participatory performance work that examines the role of the United Nations as a risk management organisation. Bennett Miller will transform the Perth Cultural Centre Amphitheatre into a replica of a former U.N. office in Geneva, Switzerland. The structure will play host on consecutive Saturdays to a meeting of the U.N.’s Commission on Human Rights, wherein all of the national delegates are live dachshunds!
Dachshund U.N. is both a joyful and chaotic experiment, and a meditation on the utopian aspirations of the Commission of Human Rights, and our capacity as humans to imagine and achieve a universal system of justice. With EPRA’s support, PICA would like to invite Perth audiences to the cultural centre for exclusive live viewings of the operation of the Dachshund U.N., where 47 specially recruited dachshunds will engage in rigorous debate.
While you can easily access this light and enjoyable work, it carries a very serious set of parameters for contemplation. It is a thought provoking installation that challenges our judicious aspirations and exposes the inherent structural flaws of multinational bureaucracies that are predisposed to fail.
Dachshund U.N. is critically acclaimed and garnered massive crowds when it was shown in Melbourne as part of the Next Wave Festival. This overwhelmingly popular and fun work has been created by WA artist Bennett Miller. The project is for people of all ages and encourages a family visit to the cultural centre.