For nine years, Joel Fox has maintained a trail camera in the Cozy Dell creek bed. With a desire to collaborate with the creatures of Cozy, Fox transforms an array of props—a mannequin, makeup mirrors, bowls of water, emu eggs, plastic arms, string, a white floor, a picture frame—into a surreal landscape where animals can shape their own narratives. Some things worked, many didn't.

Each night brought a new nocturnal procession. The animals and birds present themselves in often species specific clusters - the fox, the racoons, the two skunks, the mountain lion, the bear, the owls, the redtails, the possums. They are themselves, in their own world. And it’s in these moments  we catch a glimpse of the magic that exists in the time after dark—a magic that pushes us to rethink the boundaries between human and animal perspectives.

As the recordings continue the environment shifts and so do the creatures. In the wake of the Thomas Fire new patterns emerged in the footage- with bears, mountain lions, and foxes  appearing with more frequency as their range had drastically shrunk.

Animals Watching reveals how humans shape the landscape both intentionally and inadvertently, creating environments that animals navigate. As we observe these animals and props, we are reminded of our own place in the world—both as curious onlookers and as part of a landscape blurring the boundaries between human and animal, observer and observed.
 
This collaboration comes from a belief that animals feel their own life, which sounds simple but is rarely acknowledged.  We are so oblivious of our massive presence that we forget that most animal behavior we see is their reactions to us being there- usually to get something from us or fearing us, or both. It is as if humans are all animals think about, because that is what we usually see them doing.

Maybe this is why we seem to feel that if something has consciousness but we are not around to witness it, then it doesn't exist. It is hard to grasp that the world is filled with other beings that want to be with their friends, take care of their families, hold grudges, have fears, experience dreams, and see beauty.  In many ways, our inability to see beyond our own presence leads us to dismiss the full depth of the animal world, reducing their existence to mere reactions to us. - Joel Fox


Joel Fox is a multifaceted artist known for his playful and imaginative approach to visual art, television, and commercial work. Growing up in Ojai, Fox was influenced by his surroundings and family. His artwork often blends absurdity and meditation, utilizing a variety of mediums including animation, timelapse, photography, and video. He received a degree in Integrated Media from CalArts, where he later taught in their MFA design program. His artistic journey has spanned various fields, from corporate identity and web art to children's television and has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe. Notably, he contributed to Yo Gabba Gabba, where his fun and imaginative segments became standout features.  Eleven years ago Fox returned to Ojai, where he continues to create art and video with his partner Jennifer Jordan Day.