“Poor Cow: Kirsty’s Moo-Cow, Matilda’s Octopus and Evil Croc”

This is a scene of poorly made creatures, made out of domestic detritus and odd bits and bobs from the 99p Store, assembled together in a clumsy fashion which is initially innocent and playful that soon becomes unveiled as something of an act understood as disturbing. I intend the viewer to see that the two main characters are locked in a vulgar position; “Matilda’s Octopus” violating “Kirsty’s Moo- Cow” and it is twisted and sinister. However, the way that the two animals look, make the scenario light hearted, the intention of a perverse message is lost in the translation of the form of the characters. The humour is adult and not threatening because of the soft, fake, hodge- podge animals that in reality do not own human thought or feeling, and would never meet in reality it is all make-believe and ridiculous.

The Cow gets her name “Kirsty’s Moo-Cow”, through the innocence of childhood and the naming of toys. It has to lend to the association of the gentle milk-bearing beast that provides for cereals in the mornings and refreshing beverages at play-times. Her appearance is clumsy and vulnerably soft, she is the prey for “Matilda’s Octopus”, who is knowing and scheming. His name is a disguise, acting like a child-friendly critter he has snared the cow into his clutches and violates her with his home-made tentacles. While all along “Evil Croc” is watching from his safe lofty position, like a vulture waiting for scraps.

They are presented and considered as if they were in a human social catastrophe, shown in a freeze frame not unlike a cliff-hanger ending in a gritty soap opera. The emotion of this scene would be abhorrent if there were humans acting, simulating a rape or attack with a witness. However, the pathetic “adlibbed” animals soften the tone and suggest juvenile curiosity more than anything.

The whole setting is made out the most impoverished materials, rendered with wonky “best-attempt” aesthetics addressing adult moral issues with child-like naivety authoring a tale of tactlessness and uncomfortable inadequacy.

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