Alisa Osinga - Goat’s paw
The most fascinating object I possess is in my kitchen, between the knives and scissors. It combines the clumsiness of knick-knack with the bloodthirstiness of a cut-off body part. I found this poorly made bottle opener, that has a goat’s paw as a handle, on a flea market. The bottle opener is made of a cheap type of metal with little attention to detail. This worthless part contrasts the paw that once was a priceless asset for the goat.
In terms of the market value, this bottle opener is worthless: it is a common object and this specimen does not have any luxurious appeal. But though not valuable as an object, it does have a symbolic value. The use of a paw of a goat for such an unimportant piece of utility shows the bad position of the goat in the food chain, and the little respect that is given to its remains. Replace the animal’s paw with a human arm in comparison. The paw therefore represents a strong, widespread value: that of the power of man over animals.
However, not wasting the non-edible parts of the slaughtered goat could just as well be interpreted as a sign of respect for the animal.
The poor quality in which this object is made does not support either of these conclusions though. Maybe it is just a bottle opener.
Alisa Osinga: attribuut for my alter-ego 01
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