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New York has seen art made from just about everything: balloons, trash, Legos and bananas duct-taped to walls. Dog food, however, is a new one.
Now through June 9, visitors to the AKC Museum of the Dog in Midtown can check out an unusual exhibition that reimagines some of the world's most famous artworks using thousands of pieces of dog kibble. Think Mona Lisa, The Scream, The Kiss and Girl with a Pearl Earring—except every brushstroke has been replaced by carefully arranged pet food.
The installation, dubbed The Art of Breed, was created by pet nutrition company Royal Canin to celebrate the launch of its new breed-specific diet for corgis, the first new addition to the company's breed-focused nutrition line in five years. The exhibit uses kibble from Royal Canin's various breed formulas, with each shape, size and texture becoming part of the artistic medium.
While the concept sounds absurd, the finished pieces are surprisingly detailed. From a distance, the works look like traditional paintings. Up close, visitors discover that the shading, color variation and texture come from meticulously placed kibble pieces designed for different breeds. (One of the standout works on display—a larger-than-life corgi portrait—is sure to become a favorite photo backdrop for museum visitors.)
Whether you're a serious art lover, a devoted dog owner or simply someone who enjoys delightfully weird New York attractions, this may be one of the city's most unexpected gallery experiences of the season. After all, how often do you get to admire a masterpiece and wonder whether it should be hanging in the Louvre—or served in a food bowl?