30) Zoo
Built at first for the purpose of scientific research on the south west side of Tiergarten, the Berlin Zoo, transforms into a hybrid place, hosting animals but also catering to the general public’s entertainment. It becomes more and more the focus of royals, diplomats and politicians, as a place representing colonial possession and political geographical influence. Several zookeepers are killed by elephants and hippopotami in the process. By 1925 the zoo itself is organizing its first expedition in the Ethiopian Empire to capture even more wild animals.
In the ’20s many parties and balls are organized on the large restaurant’s terrace of the zoo. The night scene during these occasions is mesmerizing with people dancing between the lights of tall lamps and the glow of sleep-deprived flamingos lit by long range reflectors. During the day loads of tourists, painters and photographers of animals, regular visitors and beautiful people stroll around the premises. In 1928 a young gorilla makes a sensation coming to Berlin in a first class D-train compartment and grows during his years at the zoo into a 262kg powerful animal. He becomes the zoo’s iconic image. His name is Bobby.
Built at first for the purpose of scientific research on the south west side of Tiergarten, the Berlin Zoo, transforms into a hybrid place, hosting animals but also catering to the general public’s entertainment. It becomes more and more the focus of royals, diplomats and politicians, as a place representing colonial possession and political geographical influence. Several zookeepers are killed by elephants and hippopotami in the process. By 1925 the zoo itself is organizing its first expedition in the Ethiopian Empire to capture even more wild animals.
In the ’20s many parties and balls are organized on the large restaurant’s terrace of the zoo. The night scene during these occasions is mesmerizing with people dancing between the lights of tall lamps and the glow of sleep-deprived flamingos lit by long range reflectors. During the day loads of tourists, painters and photographers of animals, regular visitors and beautiful people stroll around the premises. In 1928 a young gorilla makes a sensation coming to Berlin in a first class D-train compartment and grows during his years at the zoo into a 262kg powerful animal. He becomes the zoo’s iconic image. His name is Bobby.