Paper short abstract:

Ethnographic film-based research on the Iberian pig in Extremadura has been inspired by art and thoughts on human/animal relationships. But human influences on the state of the world in general may radically change these perceptions, and the future of Pata Negra.

Paper long abstract:

As part of an ethnographic film-based study of the Iberian pig's cultural significance, linked to research within the realm of the anthropology of food, doing fieldwork mainly in and around the village of Fuente de Cantos in Extremadura (Spain), we realised this was the birthplace of the Spanish painter, Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664). His famous painting of a lamb, Agnus Dei, gave us a striking image of how to represent animals, and initially became a source of inspiration for some of our shooting. Pardoning the pun it opened several cans of worms regarding how animals in general are represented, and an almost paradoxical discourse surrounding the Iberian pig. On the one hand the pig is almost reified as the source of perhaps the most exquisite ham in the world, Pata Negra, on the other hand we soon came to learn that the status of the pig otherwise, as in many other cultures, was way down the ladder of greatness and glory, the top rung of which, in this part of the world, is undoubtedly taken by the horse. This presentation will argue why this is the case, using examples from the current research project and comparing them with cases from other parts of the world. How are image-based representations closely linked to specific cultural classifications of animals? And how will these perceptions and relationships be affected by e.g. climate change and other human influences on the world and environment.