Cavies, Pineridge Zoo 1986

"Cavies, Pineridge Zoo" is a 1986 photograph by German artist Volker Seding (1943-2007). The image depicts a lone cavy, a rodent native to South America, in a wire cage. The cage is situated in a wooded area, suggesting the animal's captivity within a zoo setting. The photo highlights the stark contrast between the animal's natural habitat and its confined environment, prompting reflection on the ethics of zookeeping and the relationship between humans and animals. The image's muted tones and sharp lines create a sense of isolation and confinement, while the detailed depiction of the cage's construction emphasizes its artificiality. Seding's work often explored the complexities of human interactions with the natural world, and "Cavies, Pineridge Zoo" exemplifies this theme.