Elephants, Metro Toronto Zoo 1985

Volker Seding's 1985 photograph "Elephants, Metro Toronto Zoo" captures the somber reality of zoo confinement. The image shows a pair of elephants behind a chain-link fence, their bodies filling the space between the concrete walls and metal gate. The harsh lighting and somber tones highlight the restricted space, creating a sense of confinement and alienation. Seding's work often explores the themes of animal welfare and the impact of human intervention on the natural world, making this piece a powerful commentary on the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity.