Untitled (pie-eating contest, man holding pie) c. 1950

Editor: This small, undated photograph by Jack Gould, called "Untitled (pie-eating contest, man holding pie)", has a strange, almost ghostly quality. What do you see in the composition and lighting choices? Curator: The inverted tonality immediately disrupts our conventional perception. Gould’s manipulation of light and shadow flattens the pictorial space, emphasizing the geometric forms within the architectural backdrop, and the figure's posture. Notice how the pie acts as a visual echo to the circular badge. Editor: That's a good point about the repetition of circular forms. Curator: Indeed. The contrast between the harsh geometric lines of the building and the organic curves of the pie and the man's form create a compelling visual tension. Ultimately the starkness enhances the surreality. Editor: I hadn't considered that before. Thanks for pointing out the relationship between the forms and the photographic technique. Curator: My pleasure. Looking at it from a formal perspective really changes our understanding.