Untitled (chimp swinging from one trapeze to another) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing gelatin silver print by Jack Gould, called "Untitled (chimp swinging from one trapeze to another)". The chimp's caught mid-air, almost weightless. What strikes you about the materials and the way they contribute to the image? Curator: I'm interested in how the photograph's material reality points to labor. The gelatin silver process, though seemingly straightforward, involved specific chemical processes, darkroom expertise and Gould’s selection, framing, and ultimately, his commodification of the chimp's labor. Editor: Commodification? Curator: Yes. Consider the social context. Why is this chimpanzee performing? What economic or social forces placed him on that trapeze and Gould behind the camera? It blurs high art and what some consider "mere" entertainment. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider, thank you! Curator: My pleasure. It is always useful to be aware of how the material and social worlds intersect within art.