Daniel Steegman Mangrané’s work is inspired by the biodiversity of the Brazilian rainforest and the fragility of nature in general. His multi-disciplinary practice explores ecological complexity and the relationship between human and non-human life. La Pensée Ferale (Feral Thought), is comprised of seven photographs with accompanying text. The title evokes the idea of an untamed consciousness free from conventional social constraints. The protagonists are feral dogs, once domesticated, that have reverted to a wild or semi-wild state, no longer dependent on human care, and thus belonging neither to nature nor culture. Here, close-up photos of dog eyes are placed onto various tree trunks of the Tijuca National Park, in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the largest urban parks in the world. In these images, the animal gaze is returned to us, activating the complex philosophical and ethical implications of being looked at by a non-human creature. The animal gaze has been said to challenge human exceptionalism, but can also raise questions about our responsibility toward other species. Does the way an animal looks at us suggest its own subjectivity, agency or moral status? How can we know? The accompanying text by philosopher Juliana Fausto uncovers the colonial past of the world’s largest urban forest and reveals the intricate ties between colonialism, capitalism, the environment and non-human life.