Untitled (lion tamer with whip and two lions on hind legs) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (lion tamer with whip and two lions on hind legs)" by Jack Gould, is a captivating image, especially with its stark contrast. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the means of production. This image, a photograph, captures a performance. Think about the labor involved—the tamer, the lions, the photographer. How does this image reflect the social context of entertainment and our consumption of these displays of power? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective, focusing on labor and power. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Indeed. We see a clear power dynamic being performed here, yet the image itself becomes a commodity. Editor: It’s given me a lot to think about, especially how the act itself and its capture are both acts of labor.