Sykes Monkey, Southport, England 1990

Volker Seding captured this image of a Sykes Monkey in Southport, England. The photograph is a gelatin silver print, a process refined in the 19th century, which involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides. Seding's choice of gelatin silver printing influences the image's appearance, giving it a wide tonal range and sharp details. The process, rooted in industrial chemistry, allows for mass production and standardization, making photography accessible to a wide audience. The grid-like structure of the enclosure, constructed from manufactured metal, creates a stark backdrop. The monkey, in turn, is presented as part of a system of control and display, reflective of human dominance over nature. Ultimately, Seding’s work prompts us to consider the social contexts of image-making, and the complex interplay between humans, animals, and the industrial processes that shape our world. It blurs the lines between art, documentation, and social commentary.