Untitled (chimp combing hair in mirror) c. 1951

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould of a chimpanzee gazing into a mirror while combing its hair. The chimp is wearing a silly outfit. What’s striking to me is the use of the chimp as a vehicle for commentary on human vanity. What do you make of it? Curator: I see a pointed commentary on labor, specifically in entertainment. Consider the costume – a clear indication of forced participation. The photograph doesn't just depict vanity; it exposes the means by which animals are made to perform for human consumption. Editor: So, you think the image critiques the commodification of animals? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to question the ethics of exploiting labor, blurring lines between performance, exploitation, and our own consumption habits. It also challenges the concept of photography as a tool for documentation versus exploitation. Editor: That’s a compelling perspective; I hadn’t considered the labor aspect so explicitly. Thank you.