hun&hund is a scenic event that takes place between dance artist Liv Hanne Haugen and her dog Hera, a rather unpredictable dance partner. The relationship between the two is somewhat unusual, not only because it is being staged, but because dogs are not subject to society's usual discipline of the species. The fact that Haugen gives Hera free rein to fulfill her own desire for freedom, leads Haugen herself to be treated in a doggy way by other from the human species that do not appreciate loose bitches (the word ‘bitch’ stems from a female, older dog that starts to be a little grumpy). This dilemma prompted Haugen to research with bigger interest, interspecies relationships. 

For a dog, Hera is an experienced performing artist with a great talent for presence and has already participated in several artistic projects. Haugen is both jealous and inspired, and is learning skills from Hera: self regulation, relaxation, shamelessly asking for her needs to be met etc. It is these more or less successful exercises in presence that she and the dog stage, as well as everyday interactions between her and the dog, that allow for both recognition and surprise.

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A film version of this project was made in collaboration with filmmaker Rachel Gomez Andersen, and presented as part of the exposition Sarah og Friheten (15.06.2021 - 18.01.2026) at Perspektivet Museum, Tromsø/NO. 

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