Artist book by Tammy Mike Laufer

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Interestingly, Laufer’s recent artwork depicts pigs while referencing the global economic struggle. PIGS CRISIS (2011) is a video installation inspired by the swine flu “media-panic” that replaced the media’s obsession with the recent economic recession. Included are portrayals of real pigs that fly in a dark galaxy. Similar to a video game simulation, the pigs fight each other and are confronted by flu viruses. In addition, the term “PIGS” is an acronym for the four countries (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain) whose national debts and economic crises are a threat to the European economy and to the stability of the European Union. Eventually, the pigs withdraw from view and the video ends with coins piling up signaling “game over.” There are no winners and no losers, as if to suggest that we cannot be certain about the future and who will be on top in the end. This is Laufer’s well-crafted version of a short narrative. Laufer’s digital paintings and video art depict different notions of alienation and struggle. As an artist, she consistently critiques and expresses her ideas about life; even if she presents imaginary fantastic images, the message is clear and pertinent to reality. She prompts viewers to be hypersensitive to their surroundings, in an effort to increase awareness about the nature of art and its social relevance.

For viewing the video click on the picture. Image from the video work "crisis pigs" Janco Dada Museum 2010 Curator Nurit Tal Tenne.

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