Between Light & Shadow: Objects and Evidence by Cave Dogs, includes unique lighting effects which will utilize props, costumes, and video from our current performance Liquid States and past performances, including Sure-Minded Uncertainties, Archaeology of a Storm, Ferrous City, How to Build a Raft, and Emily’s Circus.

Cave Dogs work involves combining movement, form, manipulated light and shadow to explore the process of creating unusual and surprising visual effects and produce imagery that consistently delights and challenges the viewer. We use scale to create complex dynamics between objects, the figure, the space and the viewer. We employ images, both moving and still, to enhance meaning in sound. We depart from tradition in favor of abstraction and experimentation to ensure the evolution and vitality of our work. Together, we acknowledge the unexpected, the whimsical, celebrate the surprise, and allow the work to take shape from it.

In support of our collective perspective, our content – props, video, sound, lighting – is created in-house using individual and collaborative concepts and skills. We explore a wide range of making and creating in the studio when building props, making intricately cut panels, acetate drawings, costumes and other supporting performative elements to be able to achieve the visual effects we desire.

We believe that insights in art are supported by multidisciplinary practice and find that work in one discipline will influence work in another. The process always informs the outcome. Materials are important to us in that we make props out of recycled cardboard, tape, metal, wood, a variety of papers, foam core, gator board, wire, acetate, drafting film, acrylic/plexiglass, foam, real and artificial foliage, an assortment of connectors, adhesives, and repurposed found objects like toys, tools, and household items. Through experience we can predict shadows cast from some objects, but more often we find lighting surprises when we improvise the relationship between light, object, and shadow.

Each installation is unique and requires a great deal of understanding and interpretation of the space itself to realize the best presentation of the work. Site-specific installations provide an opportunity for props, images and content created for a live performance to be recontextualized in a fixed, dynamic spatial relationship. We establish a contrast between installation and environment by using everyday materials in surprising ways and by emphasizing shape, texture, and composition. The installation is a liminal space where the tangible and ethereal meet in an ephemeral relationship between light and dark. 

CAVE DOGS
Between Light & Shadow: Objects and Evidence
June 24 – July 30, 2023
Opening Reception Sat, June 24, 4-7pm

About the Exhibition
Between Light & Shadow: Objects and Evidence by Cave Dogs, includes unique lighting effects which will utilize props, costumes, and video from our current performance Liquid States and past performances, including Sure-Minded Uncertainties, Archaeology of a Storm, Ferrous City, How to Build a Raft, and Emily’s Circus.

Cave Dogs work involves combining movement, form, manipulated light and shadow to explore the process of creating unusual and surprising visual effects and produce imagery that consistently delights and challenges the viewer. We use scale to create complex dynamics between objects, the figure, the space and the viewer. We employ images, both moving and still, to enhance meaning in sound. We depart from tradition in favor of abstraction and experimentation to ensure the evolution and vitality of our work. Together, we acknowledge the unexpected, the whimsical, celebrate the surprise, and allow the work to take shape from it.

Each installation is unique and requires a great deal of understanding and interpretation of the space itself to realize the best presentation of the work. Site-specific installations provide an opportunity for props, images and content created for a live performance to be recontextualized in a fixed, dynamic spatial relationship. We establish a contrast between installation and environment by using everyday materials in surprising ways and by emphasizing shape, texture, and composition.The installation is a liminal space where the tangible and ethereal meet in an ephemeral relationship between light and dark.

About Cave Dogs
Cave Dogs principal members are Suzanne Stokes, James Fossett, Adam Mastropaolo, Dillon Paul., Ted Conway and Alchemy Mastropaolo. Grammy Award winner Dean Jones creates the soundtracks, with additional audio by Emerson Fossett.

We embrace the collaborative process, possess a strong work ethic and are invested in creating and sustaining a community. We are dedicated to expanding and strengthening our technical and conceptual skills to produce innovative work. While each member brings specific strengths to the collective. Each routinely alternates between performing, puppeteering, lighting, gripping, running tech and crewing during a performance. Together, we acknowledge the unexpected, celebrate the surprise, and allow the work to take shape from it.

Our name, Cave Dogs, originated from performing in the Widow Jane Mine; a cavernous cement mine in Rosendale, New York. Cave Dogs performs in the Hudson Valley, nationally, and internationally in a variety of venues: from pristine 16th century cathedrals in Scandinavia to William Kentridge’s The Center for the Less Good Idea in Johannesburg, South Africa.

EVENTS RELATED TO THIS EXHIBITION

SAT, June 24, 4-7pm
Opening Reception

This rare Cave Dogs exhibition features an installation of props, artifacts, and video at the Jane St. Art Center. Between Light & Shadow: Objects and Evidence by Cave Dogs, includes unique lighting effects which will utilize props, costumes, and video from our current performance Liquid States and past performances, including Sure-Minded Uncertainties, Archaeology of a Storm, Ferrous City, How to Build a Raft, and Emily’s Circus.

SAT, July 1, 2:30-3:30pm
Liquid States live performance at
Upstate Films – Orpheum Theatre Saugerties

Cave Dogs performs Liquid States, a shadow play extraordinaire, at the Orpheum Theatre, in Saugerties, NY. Fluid shadows and images dance in wild imagination across the screen. Each performance promises a healthy dose of the sublime, the exciting, the absurd, and the downright fun that results in something infinitely compelling. Their latest production, Liquid States, consists of innovative, large-scale shadow projections cast onto a screen from sculptures, props, costuming and the human body, in concert with projected video imagery, spoken narrative and an original soundtrack. Liquid States explores water as substance, as a metaphorical allusion and as a subject of socio-political debate.

This is a 60-minute performance and we welcome all ages. Tickets are general admission; $20 for adults, $15 for members, children (under 12) and seniors. Seating is limited, tickets can be purchased online. (Instead of- Seating is limited so arrive early to get tickets!)

https://www.upstatefilms.org/the-cave-dogs-perform-liquid-states

SAT, July 1, 4:30pm
Q&A with Cave Dogs

The theater is walking distance from Jane St. Art Center. The audience is invited to come to the gallery to see the exhibition after the performance with a small reception. Cave Dogs members, Suzanne Stokes, Jim Fossett, Adam Mastropaolo, Dillon Paul, Ted Conway and Alchemy Mastropaolo, will be present for the discussion.

SAT, July 29, 2-5pm
Shadow Workshop – $60 until Sat, July 22 after that $75, student/senior $50

This workshop, for up to 15 participants (ages 16 and up) will focus on creating an intricately cut paper panel. We will then create shadows and movement from the cut panels, using our unique lighting techniques. Bring in a specific image you would like to turn into cut paper for shadow please make sure the image is 8” x 10” or larger.

https://janestreetartc.wpengine.com/product/cave-dogs-shadow-workshop/