Untitled (boy on trampoline, about to land on his bottom) c. 1950

Editor: This small, untitled black and white photograph by Jack Gould captures a boy on a trampoline, mid-air. I’m struck by the industrial feel of the setting. What stands out to you? Curator: The mass production of leisure evident here is fascinating. The trampoline, a product of industrial materials and manufacturing, becomes a site of play. What does it tell us about the commodification of recreation? Editor: So, you see the trampoline itself as a key element, representing manufactured fun? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in creating these objects and the social structures that enable such leisure activities. It all contributes to the image's impact. What do you think about this idea? Editor: I never considered the labor involved in creating that trampoline but now I do. Thanks!