Presentation Feedback – Elizabeth Busch
I really like Elizabeth’s focus on feral cat’s as a hyperobject. Although I wouldn’t have thought about such a specific topic as a hyperobject, I can see how it fits in amongst invasive species as a broader topic. Placing the images of over-domesticated cats being shared on social media against the reality of feral cats living in the wild gives this project a really interesting twist. presenting feral cats as they actual look and behave is probably something that most people have never seen before, and it definitely has a chance to challenge the common perception.
A few ideas come to mind during Elizabeth’s presentation:
- There could potentially be a decent amount of background material about invasive species by researching the dingo fence which runs through outback NSW and Queensland. Although the dingo isn’t an introduced species the fence is still a great example of pre-industrial control methods. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo_Fence)
- Figures around the eradication of native species by feral cats will help illustrate the point. This could be demonstrated through the critical numbers of Tasmanian Devils which are hunted by feral cats in the wild.
- Another angle could be to discuss or acknowledge the moral implications of killing. There is often a tradeoff between controlling a species in certain areas for commercial gain (kangaroos on farm land, foxes, rabbits, cats) and creating a total imbalance of the natural system. There is a larger debate too about the worth of one animal compared to another.
- Sound could play a massive part in this work. In particular it might be interesting to include the natural and man-made worlds by using gunshots, cats meowing and screeching, car engines, etc. Footsteps and paw-steps pacing through grasses and scrub would give an impression of size difference between humans and small animals. A subtle pulsing heartbeat throughout the piece would add to the soundscape if suspense is needed.
Presentation Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1syno8tjIawHGH7PVW0arxD_eZSoSWVhU2PPAjpSlxaE/edit?usp=sharing