Untitled (two zebras at zoo) c. 1950

Curator: This is Jack Gould's "Untitled (two zebras at zoo)," a small, undated gelatin silver print from the Harvard Art Museums collection. The stark contrast gives it a rather surreal quality, don't you think? Editor: Yes, the inverted tones create an unsettling feeling, especially juxtaposed with the subject matter. The confinement of the animals really emphasizes ideas about control and the exoticization of the other. Curator: Absolutely, and it prompts questions about the historical context of zoos, their role in colonialism, and the ethics of keeping animals in captivity for human entertainment. Editor: Looking at the composition, the overlapping zebras and fence create a sort of visual cage within a cage, amplifying the emotional impact. Curator: Indeed. The inverted colors and the zoo setting encourage a critical examination of human-animal relationships and their underlying power dynamics. Editor: The interplay of light and shadow also speaks to the semiotic relationship between visibility and invisibility in constructing perceptions of the wild. Curator: I appreciate how this print offers us a space to consider complex social and ethical questions, even without explicit narrative elements. Editor: It's a potent reminder that even seemingly simple images can hold layers of meaning, inviting us to reflect on broader cultural narratives.