Animalistic, animals under pressure

In the Animalistic series I draw attention to individual animals and species so as to bring them forth as representatives of the larger phenomenon of animal abuse and misconduct.

Human beings have a peculiar, dualistic relationship with animals. The pet of one is the steak of another. A being belonging to a species may have one of many statuses according to which it is treated and via which it gains its rights. A fox may be the fox of the zoo, a being with a demarcated yet somewhat sizable space to move in. On the other hand, the fox may be the fox that is seen as becoming-fur and therefore considered less deserving of space. In the wilds the fox may be the object of the hunter who vis-a-vis the object gains the subjectivity of having-fun.

Mankind has constructed a social apparatus — conforming to their interests — which bestows upon them the right to determine the category to which each individual animal belongs.

The study of ethology has revolutionized our views of animals; fish feel pain, birds and elephants mourn their lost spouses and the Christmas ham is now known to be as cognizant as the family dog lying beside the dining table.