The DogHead
Jun-2019
A Storytelling Installation
by Ting-Yu Lee
by Ting-Yu Lee
Drawing inspiration from cherished childhood memories of imaginative doll play and storytelling, The DogHead is an installation that engages participants both as attentive audiences–listening to the character's narrative–and as active contributors, weaving their own narrative continuation through doll play.
In the unsettling tale of Willard Wilson, his wife's imminent departure drove him to extreme measures. Desperate to hold onto their memory, he transformed ordinary spaces in his home into eerie reminders of their presence. Finding solace on a worn sofa beside his faithful dog, his dreams blurred the line between remorse and yearning. Within these dreams, his family's absence mingled with his unspoken guilt, giving rise to a haunting hybrid–an amalgamation of his wife's essence and his canine companion's form. This unsettling apparition compelled him to confront his heinous actions. At daybreak, the dog-headed specter delivered a jolting realization, forcing him to confront the harrowing truth he had so deliberately evaded–their absence was a consequence of his own unspeakable transgression.
In response to Willard's account, participants interact by manipulating the Willard Wilson doll within the scenes. Through this engagement, hidden switches concealed within the furniture are triggered, orchestrating scene changes and propelling the narrative into the next chapters. As the dream-like encounter unfolds, distorted facts and tampered memories gradually give way to the revelation of the truth.
In the unsettling tale of Willard Wilson, his wife's imminent departure drove him to extreme measures. Desperate to hold onto their memory, he transformed ordinary spaces in his home into eerie reminders of their presence. Finding solace on a worn sofa beside his faithful dog, his dreams blurred the line between remorse and yearning. Within these dreams, his family's absence mingled with his unspoken guilt, giving rise to a haunting hybrid–an amalgamation of his wife's essence and his canine companion's form. This unsettling apparition compelled him to confront his heinous actions. At daybreak, the dog-headed specter delivered a jolting realization, forcing him to confront the harrowing truth he had so deliberately evaded–their absence was a consequence of his own unspeakable transgression.
In response to Willard's account, participants interact by manipulating the Willard Wilson doll within the scenes. Through this engagement, hidden switches concealed within the furniture are triggered, orchestrating scene changes and propelling the narrative into the next chapters. As the dream-like encounter unfolds, distorted facts and tampered memories gradually give way to the revelation of the truth.
The composition consists of four acts set within three scenes. To address the repeated scene in the first and fourth acts, all scenes are unified on a single rotating platform. Reflecting the abrupt shifts typical of dreams, inspired by personal experience, the adaptation incorporates a controlled rotating disc to simulate scene changes.
During the production process, challenges arose in orchestrating audience participation to seamlessly operate the installation as intended. This required crafting script lines that subtly implied actions without sounding overly instructive. Adapting to varying individual response times from understanding the narrative to executing actions also proved complex. Timing the playback of subsequent audio segments was crucial for synchronization with the unfolding story.
Anticipating potential scenarios, such as audience members leaving midway, prompted solutions like incorporating reset buttons or water replenishment systems. Multiple revisions ultimately led to a streamlined setup, pinpointing necessary switches and corresponding instructions for each installation stage.
The bedroom assumes a vital role as the arena where Willard's consciousness comes to the fore. Here, the interplay between dreams and reality unfolds with a gentle elegance, delicately blurring the demarcation between these two realms. Within this space, the intricacies of his perception meld, unveiling a complex tapestry of thoughts and experiences, providing a glimpse into the intricate workings of his mind.
A suitcase rested on the bedroom floor, drawing his gaze. It triggered memories of the day when Doris had begun to pack her belongings, and the desperation that had driven him to an extreme course of action to retain her. In the dining room, a refrigerator stood, concealing Doris. Within its cold confines, her legs dangled, evoking an eerie semblance of life that sent shivers down his spine.
Nestled in the corner of the dining room, a rocking horse demanded Willard's attention. It served as a poignant reminder of his cherished son, young Brandon, whose impending separation by Doris ignited his simmering fury. In the bathroom, beneath the opaque surface of the hot tub's turbid water, his son rested. The waters embraced him, providing the same sense of security and warmth that had always been their bond.