CCLaP Photo Feature: Paul Lask and Anna Bolm, 'Dogs of Chile'

Paul Lask and Anna Bolm Dogs of Chile

Chicago Center for Literature and Photography Photographer Feature February 1, 2013

Location: Various cities throughout Chile Paul and I have been active artists in Chicago since 2000, him as a musician myself as a student of sculpture. I shoot with an old Canon DSLR. At this point we are both working in education, while Paul continues in music and fiction writing, and I in varying mediums.

Tell us a little about how this photo series came about in the first place.

Frightened by convention, we fled for South America shortly after marrying.

Not knowing the language left us to our own devices for companions, and our imaginations led us to the dogs. The dogs occupied our thoughts, our conversations often leading to what they were doing or who we saw that day.

“Did you see Tenderfoot today?” I would ask Paul.

“Yeah, I saw him by the panaderia earlier but Whale wasn’t with him, I wonder if they’re fighting.”

In general, are these dogs fr urban surroundings keep th there a feral touch to them?

Generally, the dogs are in go about a girl in Patagonia wh she was trying to pet. We d wild animals.

riendly or hostile? Do the hem domesticated, or is ?

ood spirits. We did hear ho was nearly bitten by a fox don’t recommend petting

What does the local population think of these dogs?

We’ve seen a wide range of reactions but for the most part we see indifference or love. It’s common to see food and water bowls set out for them, or even leftovers from restaurants, a doggie bag if you will.

Could any of them be considered traditional pets?

Not traditional. These dogs love their independence and show off to the fenced dogs, sending them into a barking frenzy. The love they receive from the community makes them feel more like public pets.

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