Four&Sons
Dogs and
culture collide
Show and tell
When I was a kid, the word Aesop would evoke the adventures of a tortoise and a hare, of a smart-ass boy and some wolves, of well-intentioned fables written by a Greek slave to pass on some wisdom and teach me morals. Nowadays, the same word conjures scents and silky hair, visions of understated design, beautiful packaging, award-winning interiors, and of that legendary pet wash aptly named Animal.
The brand’s strength stems from an unconditional love for design, art and the written word, an understanding of the science of beauty and from the curiosity all good thinkers share. In a sense, Aesop is a Renaissance Man’s brand, always feeding from what themselves describe as “our passionate engagement with the cultural landscape”.
This engagement now extends to the wellbeing of pets. Animal recently inspired Aesop to organise their first Dog Grooming events in stores both in Melbourne (Aesop Prahran) and Sydney (Aesop Bondi Beach). The events “were hosted so that our customers could bring their prized pet to store and learn how to best care for them. We had grooming and nutritional experts at the stores during the event time that were there to answer any questions our customers had” the brand explains.
As Aristotle, another Greek luminary already knew, ‘man is by nature a social animal’. Given how passionate dog-lovers are, these events will go a long way towards creating a strong sense of community.
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Images courtesy of Aesop
To find out more about the brand and its products, visit Aesop’s website.
Off the Leash
by Emma Guthrie
Cartoonist Rupert Fawcett is an old hat in the genre, his trademark wit and warmth prevalent across the board. We spoke to Fawcett about his latest project, Off the Leash.
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Best in show
Visual artist Robert Clarke has been on a voyage of canine discovery since overcoming his lifelong fear of dogs with the girlfriend-prompted purchase of a Jack Russell puppy. Clarke says the emotional turn-around was “a religious experience of sorts”, and it has been inspiring his work ever since. “I try to capture the essence of the dog. When I meet the dog, I gauge its playfulness and its attitude… Each dog has a different personality; I try to capture that in paint.” An exhibition of 42 of Clarke’s canine canvases, Best In Show, is on now at London’s Cricket Fine Art gallery and runs until June 1st.
Recommended by Amy Freeborn, Journalist
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Canis Lupus Familiaris
by Amy Freeborn
The Natural History Museum at Tring, Hertfordshire, England, opened its doors in 1892 to showcase the private collection of Lionel Walter, 2nd Baron Rothschild. Today it still holds the largest collection of domestic dogs on display in the UK.
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Sausages and Food
An extensive selection of work by Welsh conceptual artist-come-photographer Keith Arnatt is currently being exhibited at Tate Britain. The show includes one of his most renowned series, Walking the Dog (1976-79), a captivating collection of black and white portraits of dogs and their owners looking straight into camera. Until 11th August 2013.
Recommended by João Bento, Writer
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Same same but different
Wood grain, pen strokes, felt strips. Over hundred artists have dressed and groomed Gerald, a paper Bracco Italiano, as part of a collaboration led by agency Lazerian. You can check the pack at 60 Reade Gallery during New York Design Week.
Recommended by Four&Sons
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The look of love
by Emma Guthrie
From dogs and cats, to owls and tarantulas, Tobias Lang’s photographic series
‘Your Pet and You’ sheds new light on man and their best friends.
Keith Haring
Glowing babies, big hearts, dancing people, barking dogs. Vivienne Westwood once compared the symbolic language of Keith Haring to hieroglyphs. If anything, Keith Haring’s work is pure gut expression. When in Paris, visit the retrospective organised by The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville in association with Le Centquatre. With more than 250 pictures on canvas and tarpaulins and from subway walls, as well as some truly monumental art pieces, the show is not to be missed. Until 18 August 2013.
Recommended by Four&Sons
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Sweet dreams are made of this
by Meredith Forrester
Susan Sabo’s latest project, I Dreamt of Dogs, helps the California-based photographer to deal with unfinished business.
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Dead Dog Beach
by Sophie Gamand
Photographer Sophie Gamand’s world had been filled with bedazzled silk dresses and feathered hats until she ventured into Dead Dog Beach, Puerto Rico. This is her heartfelt account of the experience informing her work to this day.
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One Day In History
Norwegian photographer Andrea Gjestvang wins the Sony World Photography Award for her moving collection of portraits of surviving teenagers of the Utoya massacre. Fifteen-year-old Iselin Rose Borc (featured) recalls: “In the period after Utoya I had a really hard time sleeping. I was afraid of the dark and suffered dreadful nightmares. My mom and I decided that getting a dog might help me, so I got Athene. Now she sleeps on top of my stomach every night.” That’s why they are called man’s best friend.
Recommended by Four&Sons
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