When I first heard about the ‘Deus Ex Bark-ina’ exhibit at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the title. It’s clever, playful, and just a little absurd—exactly the kind of thing that makes art feel accessible without sacrificing its depth. Michael Morgan, the curator behind this dog-themed group show, clearly understands that art doesn’t always need to take itself too seriously to be meaningful. Personally, I think this approach is brilliant. It invites people in with a wink and a nudge, then surprises them with layers of thoughtfulness they might not have expected.
What makes this particularly fascinating is Morgan’s deliberate choice to balance the serious with the silly. The title itself is a riff on ‘deus ex machina,’ the ancient theatrical device where a god intervenes to resolve a plot. But here, the ‘god’ is a dog—a twist that’s both humorous and profound. In my opinion, this reflects a broader cultural shift in how we view dogs. They’re no longer just symbols of loyalty or heroism, as they were in Greco-Roman art. Today, they’re more like everyday companions, grounding us in the present while still offering a sense of comfort and rescue.
One thing that immediately stands out is Morgan’s curation philosophy. He didn’t want this to be a collection of sentimental pet portraits. Instead, he sought out artists who use dogs as a vehicle for deeper exploration. This raises a deeper question: Can art about dogs transcend the personal and become something universal? I believe it can, especially when artists like Emilie Louise Gossiaux, a blind sculptor inspired by her seeing-eye dog, are involved. Her work isn’t just about a pet—it’s about dependency, trust, and the ways animals shape our lives.
What many people don’t realize is how much thought goes into curating a show like this. Morgan had to keep artists on a ‘short leash,’ as he put it, to ensure the exhibit didn’t devolve into a tribute gallery. This is where his experience with the cat-themed ‘Magnum O-Pspsps’ came in handy. He understands the fine line between personal expression and artistic rigor. For instance, Kati Gegenheimer’s painting of her rescue dog, Mars, is undeniably cute, but it also carries a subtle undercurrent of vulnerability—a ‘barbarians at the gate’ vibe, as Morgan noted.
If you take a step back and think about it, dogs have always been fertile ground for allegory. From Aesop’s fables to modern art, they’ve served as mirrors for human emotions and societal values. What this really suggests is that our relationship with dogs is more complex than we often acknowledge. They’re not just pets; they’re symbols, companions, and sometimes even saviors. Douglas Degges’ art made from chewed dog toys, for example, isn’t just playful—it’s a commentary on consumption, destruction, and the fleeting nature of joy.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the exhibit’s physical layout. Morgan constructed walls to divide the gallery space, allowing two-dimensional works to ‘converse’ with sculptures. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a dialogue between different forms of expression. It reminds me of how dogs themselves bring people together, bridging gaps in ways that feel almost magical.
From my perspective, the Ely Center’s transitional period adds another layer of intrigue to this exhibit. After leaving its longtime home in the John Slade Ely House, the center is now housed in the offices of CitySeed. This displacement feels symbolic—a reminder that art, like life, is always evolving. Will dogs be allowed to attend the exhibit? Probably not, but the closing reception’s adoption event is a heartwarming nod to the real-world impact of our canine companions.
What this exhibit really highlights, though, is the power of art to transform the familiar into something extraordinary. Dogs are everywhere in our lives, yet ‘Deus Ex Bark-ina’ challenges us to see them in new ways. Personally, I think that’s the mark of a great show: it doesn’t just display art—it sparks conversations, questions, and connections.
In the end, ‘Deus Ex Bark-ina’ isn’t just about dogs. It’s about us—our relationships, our emotions, and our endless capacity for creativity. If you’re in New Haven between August 16 and September 13, I highly recommend stopping by. Who knows? You might just leave with a new perspective on man’s best friend—and maybe even a new furry companion.
