Ziesel (European Ground Squirrels) @ Vienna

We visited the Blumengärten Hirschstetten, a botanical garden in Vienna, to see a European wildcat. A nine-year-old female named Diva was supposed to be there, but we couldn't spot her. It was a hot, sunny day in July, so she was likely taking a nap somewhere in the shade.

Walking through the grounds filled with colorful flowers and plants, we came across a vineyard for wine grapes, where we encountered Ziesel—European ground squirrels—for the very first time. Although the vineyard seemed to be their main habitat, they were darting around freely all over the expansive gardens, completely ignoring the enclosures built by humans! And despite naturally being extremely cautious animals, they had become so accustomed to people that they actually seemed quite friendly. Since the fences served no real purpose, we wondered if they might escape, but this place is apparently the most comfortable environment for them, so they always come back on their own even if left alone.

At the time, we were in the middle of the pandemic in 2021, facing various restrictions on travel and movement, and naturally feeling a sense of confinement. In times of crisis, those in the most vulnerable positions in society are hit the hardest, and there were plenty of dark, disheartening stories in the news. Around then, we were thinking about exploring ways of "passing through walls" to cross any and all boundaries through art—which is partly why we were so drawn to wildcats across Europe, who cross national borders as they please. Just like them, seeing the completely borderless way the Ziesel lived was overwhelmingly radiant!