Dan Flavin, the renowned Minimalist artist known for his fluorescent light installations, created two artworks dedicated to his golden retriever Airily, who was a champion show dog. The works, titled "untitled (to my dear bitch, Airily)" (1981) and "untitled (to my dear bitch, Airily) 2" (1984), are discussed in the context of Flavin's practice of dedicating pieces to people and pets. The second work, held by Kunstmuseum Basel, was displayed at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in 2008 and at Dia Bridgehampton in 1985.
This article matters because it highlights a lesser-known personal aspect of a major 20th-century artist, revealing how Flavin's private relationships—including with his dog—informed his work. It also underscores the enduring significance of Flavin's installations in major museum collections and institutions like the Guggenheim and Dia Bridgehampton, while offering insight into his artistic philosophy of avoiding imposed meaning.