I went to the National Media Museum a few weeks ago which is located in Bradford in West Yorkshire - it is well-known for the Imax Cinema. There was a photography exhibition on called 'Animalism'. I really enjoyed this exhibition. It was a variety of different photographers work. I really like animals- I think they are amazing to see aesthetically and in nature.
There was something written on the wall of the exhibition which made me think:
There was something written on the wall of the exhibition which made me think:
'Our visually driven society tends to give animals human characteristics to make them seem more like us. This exhibition, however, considers the animal gaze and the ways in which animals see us, quite simply, as other animals, rather than distinctly and uniquely human.'
I do that. I can really only understand my own mind and the way humans think - not in a scientific way - just the way we all can. I don't really understand what animals are 'thinking'. I know they run on instinct but I do tend to see animals to be like myself.
There are two cats that live in the area that come and visit the house. When I walk past them in the street and they are alone I feel like they might be experiencing loneliness. I see their life and I feel like it is lonely because I know they like attention and being fussed over. I've been lonely before and I feel like if I was in their position, I would feel unhappy. Yes this is ridiculous. I don't think animals feel loneliness but I still feel a pang in my stomach. I don't like to see them sitting alone.
I dislike birds in cages and I feel sad when I see leads digging into dog's necks because they want to run so fast but can't. Dogs needs to be on leads for their safety in the man-made world and so they don't run away, and I think dogs might actually like leads and feeling like they have an owner but many dogs want to run so fast and never get the chance.
I'm probably sounding insane now. I just tend to empathize with animals from a human's point of view.
Here are a few images that were in the exhibition by the photographer Pieter Hugo called 'THE HYENA AND OTHER MEN' and I as a person who likes to see fluffy lil animals looking cute n hapi found this quite haunting and brutal:
I do that. I can really only understand my own mind and the way humans think - not in a scientific way - just the way we all can. I don't really understand what animals are 'thinking'. I know they run on instinct but I do tend to see animals to be like myself.
There are two cats that live in the area that come and visit the house. When I walk past them in the street and they are alone I feel like they might be experiencing loneliness. I see their life and I feel like it is lonely because I know they like attention and being fussed over. I've been lonely before and I feel like if I was in their position, I would feel unhappy. Yes this is ridiculous. I don't think animals feel loneliness but I still feel a pang in my stomach. I don't like to see them sitting alone.
I dislike birds in cages and I feel sad when I see leads digging into dog's necks because they want to run so fast but can't. Dogs needs to be on leads for their safety in the man-made world and so they don't run away, and I think dogs might actually like leads and feeling like they have an owner but many dogs want to run so fast and never get the chance.
I'm probably sounding insane now. I just tend to empathize with animals from a human's point of view.
Here are a few images that were in the exhibition by the photographer Pieter Hugo called 'THE HYENA AND OTHER MEN' and I as a person who likes to see fluffy lil animals looking cute n hapi found this quite haunting and brutal:
P.S The exhibition is running til the 27th of September. CLICK HERE for more information.
4 comments:
I definitely do that too. Mind you, I personify everything. I even think of teddy bears as having feelings if I'm honest!
Pleading dog eyes work very well on me because I see in them a human emotion. And I often catch myself talking about what animals might be thinking or feeling.
Those photos are a bit disturbing. Good, but disturbing.
I do the same as what you said too-personifying toys. I suppose that is what they were made for technically as when children play with them they pretend they are real.
Those photographs are disturbing but I think they use the creatures as a means to survival - I think the photographer wanted to get across that it was brutal but what kind of life have they to need to do something like that? Rather than them just being savage.
The photographer was successful, I think. I also like the question the photographs raise about our own attitudes to the animals we have domesticated. How is a hyena on a lead (for example) any different to a dog on a lead? In fact, what I found most disturbing was the fact that I, who have had numerous pets over the years and who haven't always eaten the most ethical meat, I who have visited zoos and butterfly houses and aviaries, was disturbed.
They're fantastic photographs.
I know what you mean! There is something a bit wrong about zoos..but humans as a species dominate the planet. It's strange how we live in this planet with all sorts of other life forms but we do consider ourselves the most important of species!
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