Shackles

Nina van Duijnhoven

30th May - 27 June 2021

How to chain an elephant?

When a circus elephant is young and small, a metal clasp which is attached to a heavy metal chain is tightly closed around the baby elephant’s ankle. That ankle clasp is then hammered into the ground using a thick metal stake. The elephant keeps trying to break free, but eventually the experience of powerlessness is imprinted and he stops trying.

Many thanks to Sandy Connon for the photography!

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