Untitled (hindquarters of animal in cage at zoo) c. 1950

Curator: This intriguing gelatin silver print, titled "Untitled (hindquarters of animal in cage at zoo)" comes to us from the artist Jack Gould. Editor: My first thought: it's a photograph filled with confinement. The stark black and white amplifies a sense of constraint and alienation, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. The cropped composition, focusing solely on the animal's rear, feels almost voyeuristic, creating a sense of distance. Editor: It also makes me consider the ethics of zoos, questioning our relationship with the natural world and the power dynamics at play. The animal's striped legs are like bars themselves. Curator: That’s a potent observation. I keep thinking about the unseen parts of the animal, its face and expression—we are left to imagine the emotional weight of captivity. Editor: Exactly, it's a silent scream. It’s a very poignant image, one that prompts reflection on freedom, captivity, and our shared spaces. Curator: Indeed, art can hold a mirror to uncomfortable realities.