Untitled (two birds cockfighting, man watching) 1951

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, depicting two birds cockfighting, while a man watches. Editor: It’s intense, almost claustrophobic. The tight framing and the brick wall create a brutal arena. Curator: The image’s symbolism is potent. Cockfighting has long been associated with virility, aggression, and dominance—even political machinations. Editor: And those associations are deeply problematic! It’s a stark visual metaphor for the ways in which power dynamics are often violent and exploitative, particularly for marginalized groups. Curator: Absolutely. And the voyeuristic figure adds another layer. His presence implicates us, the viewers, in this spectacle of violence. Editor: It leaves me feeling unsettled. It's a harsh commentary on systemic oppression. Curator: Indeed, it’s an unflinching look at the darker aspects of human nature. Editor: A necessary, though disturbing, reflection.