The thesis consists of a theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part, I delve
into the concept of animals, human attitudes towards them, their significance in cultural
history, and representation, illustrated through the example of dog and snake. The core of the
first part focuses on several authors – several contemporary artistic practices that involve
animals as a motif, as a concept, or in other ways, such as animals as co-authors. I have
chosen Suzi and Olly, Jeff Koons, Komar and Melamid, Marco Evaristti, and Damien Hirst,
aiming to explore the diversity of approaches. I provide some basic information about the
artists and attempt to explain their ideas and practices. The practical part of the thesis is based
on my own photographs and consists of an analysis of individual works exhibited last August
in Kamnik under the title Animals and Friends. Through detailed descriptions of the motifs
and photographic elements, I try to explain how I, as a photographer, understand animals and
I raise the creative and conceptual questions that arise for me in this context.
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