Isle of Dogs

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

“Isle of Dogs” is a stop-motion animated film by Wes Anderson that was released earlier this year.  In addition to having a thoughtful and moving story that explores the quintessential human-dog relationship, the puppetry used in the stop-motion process is astounding.  I strongly recommend watching all the “making of” documentaries included with the film.  You will be amazed at the amount of detail that went into the crafting of the puppets and sets which will in turn add an extra layer of appreciation to the film as a whole.

For all the art historians out there, I caught this sweet little Easter egg – a woodblock print!  In some scenes, the animators insert dogs into traditional woodblock prints to help tell the story.  It is so charming and sweet and an excellent way to include traditional woodblock prints in a film that is set in a futuristic Japan.  The image I chose for this post is a clear and pointed reference to Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” with a few more dogs than the original, of course!

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.