Untitled (animal in pen, front view) c. 1950

Curator: This is Jack Gould’s small gelatin silver print, “Untitled (animal in pen, front view)," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's immediately striking—a rather sad, almost ghostly figure. The negative format emphasizes confinement, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. Zoos, as institutions, frame our perception of nature. The pen and the animal become symbols of control. Editor: The okapi itself, resembling a blend of zebra and giraffe, feels like a mythical creature, a composite of familiar animal symbols. It feels vulnerable. Curator: Its vulnerability could be interpreted as a reflection of broader anxieties about endangered species and human impact. The animal's posture reflects its captivity. Editor: Seeing this animal in this almost dreamlike state makes me consider how we project our own cultural narratives onto these creatures. A symbol of loss, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. It serves as a reminder of our complex relationship with the natural world, a relationship steeped in power dynamics. Editor: A powerful image that questions our role as observers and custodians. Curator: Yes, its haunting quality prompts deeper reflection about ecological responsibility.