THE PASEO, A FESTIVAL BRINGING THE ARTS OF INSTALLATION, PERFORMANCE, AND PROJECTION TO THE STREETS OF TAOS, IS COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER 23 & 24, FOR ITS THIRD YEAR OF CELEBRATING ‘UNHANGABLE ART.’ LIVETAOS AND KNCE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE PASEO TO BRING YOU GREAT INTERACTIVE COVERAGE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE EVENT!
THIS SERIES PROFILES SOME OF THE MANY FABULOUS ARTISTS BRINGING THE PASEO TO LIFE FOR A third YEAR.
Within the world of Dosshaus there exists a cardboard creation of objects, people, and automobiles; carefully painted and put on display to transport the viewer to another reality. Experience Dosshaus when it arrives at The Paseo, September 23 and 24, in downtown Taos.
LiveTaos: What is Dosshaus?
DOSSHAUS: Dosshaus is the artistic collaboration of Zoey Taylor and David Connelly, multi-disciplinary artists whose work ranges from painting, sculpture, installation and performance to photography, film, and video.
Why cardboard? What is it about that medium that appeals to you?
We work in many different types of art: photography, painting, sculpture, fashion, and so on. Cardboard is a medium that allows us to do all of those things at once. With cardboard, there are no limitations. It can take weight, hold any form, and it works well as a “canvas” for paint. Cardboard is also readily available and almost always free. There is a canvas in every alleyway. This allows us the freedom to create anything we want.
Your installations are painted in monotone: black, white, and shades of gray. What is the motivation behind that choice?
The idea is to create something that looks like an illustration that you can step into. The monotone is an important tool in creating that effect. The intent is to disrupt the sense of reality in the viewer, but to do it in a fun and whimsical way.
The objects you construct are frequently vintage items: record players, wristwatches, typewriters, film, etc. Is this part of your concept or do you just happen to like old stuff?
We try to evoke memory and/or imagination in the viewer by taking things they’ve seen and presenting them in a new way. Also, we find that the objects of the mechanical age, with their intricate gearing and high levels of craftsmanship, are more fun and challenging to create with cardboard than those of the digital age.
The photographs of your installations seem to have a narrative behind them, since you are inserted as characters. Is there a story you are telling?
All of the photos are taken within installations that we call the House of Cardboard. Each installation is an entire room in the house, centered around a specific theme. The purpose of each photograph is to capture a perfect moment within the room. The result is not only a record of the installation but an art piece in and of itself. With regard to a story, we prefer to let the viewer create their own narrative. We simply say that we build the world we wish to live in.
Have you visited Taos and/or New Mexico before?
David first visited Taos last year, but Zoey grew up in Taos.
what struck you about our corner of the world?
Having grown up in Taos, it’s no surprise at all that Zoey became a professional artist. Between the raw beauty that surrounds Taos from mountain to mesa, and the energy of the people… Taos is like no other place in the world.
do you have any expectations?
We expect to have a good time and see some great art, visit with old friends and make new ones.
Learn more about The Paseo at www.paseoproject.org, and save the date: September 23 & 24, 2016. Stay tuned to LiveTaos and KNCE 93.5FM, www.truetaosradio.com, for ongoing interviews and coverage!
Want to help make The Paseo happen? Good news — you can! They need volunteers for all sort of jobs; click here to learn more and sign up.
Photos courtesy Dosshaus