jakub skokan documents artificially constructed zoo landscapes

jakub skokan documents artificially constructed zoo landscapes
(above) ústí nad labem, 2012
all images courtesy jakub skokan

‘zoolandscape‘ , a project by czech photographer jakub skokan and martin tuma, documents the artificially constructed biotopes and landscape scenes in european zoos. the purpose of these environments — whether they are terrariums, cages, or outdoor and indoor spaces — is to simulate the natural worlds of each presented animal, constructing them from imitation materials and painted canvases. however, skokan — in the ‘trompe l’oeil’ series, — records how each landscape has been overly simplified, systematized and idealized, and more adjusted to meet the demands of a visitor to the zoo rather then the animals caged inside. just like a stage in a theater it aims to present the animal — ‘the performer’ — in the most ideal way. it becomes apparent from these photographs that environments found in zoological gardens do not only result from the natural living needs of the animals but also from the aesthetic requirements of human, creating a sad, almost dismal scenario for the graceful wild creatures.

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012

ústí nad labem, 2012