The project is a black-and-white photo series presented in a photobook format, dedicated to the conflict between an expanding city and a large animal shelter housing several thousand dogs. Veronika portrays three sides of this conflict: the city actively developing the surrounding area; the volunteers who care for the animals daily; and the dogs themselves, imbued with their own subjectivity in the frames. Many shots are taken from the animals' perspective, which helps convey their state and emotional response. The black-and-white execution partially mimics the animals' perception and references the visual language of volunteer forums, where this palette often signifies the loss of a pet.
The project raises questions about the right of homeless domestic animals to maintain their habitat and the acceptability of a dominant subject—in this case, the city—occupying the space of the vulnerable. By anthropomorphizing the dogs and depicting them as full-fledged characters, the author intensifies the viewer’s emotional engagement. The images of the volunteers demonstrate the human aspect of the conflict, while the urban landscapes showcase its socio-economic context.
This is a local story that reflects the broader phenomenon of gentrification and the displacement of vulnerable communities for the benefit of more powerful actors; it prompts a discussion about the boundaries of humanity and responsibility in the urban environment.
