Untitled (man and chimp on fake tug boat) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an intriguing, undated photograph titled "Untitled (man and chimp on fake tug boat)" by Jack Gould. The image, though small, gives off a rather surreal, theatrical mood. What sort of stories do you think it's trying to tell us? Curator: It reminds me of a vaudeville act, a human-animal pairing against the backdrop of Americana. The chimp, dressed and performing, evokes a complex history of exploitation and entertainment. Notice how the “Show Boat” backdrop hints at a romanticized, yet often problematic, vision of the Mississippi. What feelings does the inverted image elicit in you? Editor: I see a playful, yet discomforting reflection on our cultural past. The inverted image almost heightens the sense of looking at a memory, a ghost of entertainment. Curator: Precisely. It encapsulates layers of performance, symbolism, and cultural memory, prompting us to reflect on our relationship with both animals and our own history. Editor: Definitely a lot to unpack here; I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!