Untitled (two birds cockfighting) 1951

Curator: This intense little photograph, simply titled "Untitled (two birds cockfighting)" comes to us from Jack Gould. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My initial reaction is how visceral and immediate the photograph feels, despite its small scale—it's only about 2x2 inches. You can almost hear the flapping of wings. Curator: Absolutely. The staged fight between the birds becomes a window onto themes of power, spectacle, and brutality—all deeply embedded within certain societal structures. The human presence there, seemingly enjoying the spectacle, is also very telling. Editor: I'm intrigued by the artificiality. The backdrop, the lighting—it all points to a constructed event, perhaps for the purposes of the photograph itself. Curator: Indeed, and that constructed nature allows us to consider the ethics of representation and the role of the artist in framing violence. Editor: Seeing this image makes me think about the conditions and origins of image-making. Curator: And it also underscores how intertwined human entertainment can be with the exploitation of other beings. Editor: A grim reminder about the ethics of viewing. Curator: Exactly, something to consider as we move through the rest of the exhibition.