Soil Dogs

Throughout human history, various methods have been explored to predict earthquakes; from watching unusual cloud formation to measuring electromagnetic abnormalities. Around the world, there is a tendency to attribute increased seismic perception to several more-than-human animals, particularly dogs. After almost every major earthquake, anecdotal evidence emerges of unusual behavior such as barking, howling and general agitation in dogs living close to the epicenter of the earthquake. The 1999 Taiwan earthquake and the devastating recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria are no exceptions.

With the recognition of indigenous knowledge by the scientific community, more research has been conducted on the response of dogs to early warning signs of earthquakes. Recent findings from researchers around the world have led many to speculate on the use of dogs as biosensors to help predict tectonic movements long before anthropogenic instruments can.

The installation Soil Dogs explores the relationship between dogs and seismic activity. Through a combination of ceramics, geo-acoustic and electromagnetic recordings, Veldhuis connects the supposed earthquake warning signals to Taiwan’s local soil. A soil formed and constantly reshaped by the seismic oscillations of the island located on the fault line between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plate.

The shapes of the ceramic dog heads resemble the gargoyles of Gothic architecture. These statues, usually found on medieval churches, served the purpose of directing rainwater away from the structure, while their monstrous shapes were believed to protect the building from evil spirits.

Photos by Peng YiHsuan.