Hier waak ik

21:56 Nov 26, 2011 

I eventually left the title as is with a note explaining both the literal meaning and common usage. So while I chose one of the proposed answers to award points to, the discussion was equally helpful. Thanks to everyone.

17:59 Nov 20, 2011 

I don't think it matters a whole lot how you would translate it. At the exhibition there was was small sign next to the entrance door with the words "Hier waak ik", in which the picture of the dog had been replaced for a barred window as if to say "Beware of the fence" or "Beware of the bars". Barred windows are very common in Venezuela, mostly as a safety feature for the children. I don't think the translation has to be very specific as the name in itself was merely a play of words on bars/fences as an art form.

18:43 Nov 16, 2011 

There is no specific image, it is an exhibition consisting of three installations, with some reference to cities whose inhabitants live behind bars. So although I did get the reference to the "beware of the dog" after googling the phrase and seeing many examples of those signs, I don't think that will work here. I'll use a phrase making a more generalized reference to security, but I just have to see how to fit it into the translation. But thanks for all the suggestions, at least I know now what it means exactly!

18:43 Nov 16, 2011 

Periférico Caracas / Arte Contempraneo, Caracas, Venezuela
http://www.arocha-schraenen.com/shows/hier-waak-ik

Seems to be an exhibit of security fencing and gating where such a "hier waak ik" sign might be hung; hence, that being the common thread among all of the works in the exhibit. "Hier waak ik" is an appropriate, imaginative title linking many (though not all) types of security gating/fencing, I imagine, so I would suggest finding an appropriate sign that serves as an "umbrella" term linking all of these types of gating/fencing.

"No trespassing" or "Keep out" for example.

18:14 Nov 16, 2011 

Mr. Schleber has a point. However, culturally speaking, the "Hier waak ik" dog warning signs translated for an English-speaking audience should really read "Beware of dog(s)" or "Dog(s) on guard" or "Guard dog(s) on duty" rather than "I'm on guard here", which TBH is flimsily translated and culturally irrelevant, albeit literally "correct".

Here are some n-grams for thought: http://is.gd/lcmo93