Giraffe, San Antonio, Texas Possibly 1987 - 1988

Volker Seding made this gelatin silver print, Giraffe, San Antonio, Texas. The photograph captures a giraffe in partial view inside what looks like a holding enclosure, a zoo perhaps, with the animal visible through an opening in the structure. It offers an interesting commentary on the relationship between nature and the constructed environment. Seding was German-born but became a prolific photographer of the American West. It is important to consider the history of zoos in this context. As institutions, zoos historically served not only as places of entertainment but also as demonstrations of colonial power and control over the natural world. The image could be interpreted as a critique of the way animals are confined and displayed for human consumption. It questions the ethics of keeping wildlife in artificial environments. To better understand Seding’s views on social issues such as animal rights, one might look at his wider body of work and any writings or interviews he may have given. The interpretation of art lies in understanding its social and institutional context.