Giraffe, St. Louis Zoological Park 13 - 1987

Editor: This is Volker Seding's "Giraffe, St. Louis Zoological Park," a photograph from 1987. It feels incredibly…stark. The bars dominate, almost obscuring the giraffe itself. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: The overwhelming presence of the bars immediately speaks to confinement, of course. But I am interested in what the giraffe represents as an enduring symbol across cultures. Do you find it a regal creature or something else? Editor: I suppose I've always seen them as gentle giants, a little awkward, perhaps, but still elegant. But here, the setting really changes that perception. The industrial elements - the chains, the tiled walls – strip away that grace. Curator: Exactly. And consider how zoos historically functioned, especially in the 80s. They presented wild animals as spectacles, exhibits to demonstrate humanity's dominion over nature. Does that idea resonate when you view the photo’s composition? Editor: Absolutely. The photograph's framing almost makes the giraffe another object within the exhibit, rather than a living creature. Its existence seems… curated. Curator: Consider those curated aspects! What feeling does the geometric starkness of the bars contrasting with the animal create? The symbolic weight shifts, right? Editor: Yes, definitely. It goes beyond simple captivity; it feels almost clinical, devoid of empathy. A disturbing reminder of how we sometimes fail to see the living being, focusing on control and display. Curator: It reveals a particular point in our relationship with nature and maybe, even more broadly, how our gaze affects our understanding. This photo does exactly that; forcing us to face it. Editor: I never considered how many layers could be hidden in what seemed, initially, like a straightforward image. Thanks for showing me the different perspectives.