Black Rhinoceros, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago 1985

Volker Seding created this photograph of a Black Rhinoceros at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. It’s fascinating how the painted backdrop tries to create an illusion, a kind of habitat, but falls short, doesn’t it? I wonder, was Seding trying to capture the animal in a staged environment, or was he questioning our impulse to contain nature? The rhino's skin seems almost sculptural. It’s got texture, depth, and a kind of solemn presence that contrasts sharply with the two-dimensional landscape behind it. The animal's gaze almost confronts us. I can imagine Seding considering the work of other photographers who explored similar themes, like those investigating the relationship between humans and animals in artificial environments. Ultimately, this photograph is a reminder of the complex layers of artifice and reality that shape our understanding of the natural world, prompting us to reflect on our role in this constructed vision.