Untitled (mule seen from the side) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an untitled silver gelatin print by Jack Gould, featuring a mule. There's a strong sense of motion, almost precarious, but it’s also just… a mule. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the laborious process behind this image: from breeding the animal, preparing the film and photographic paper, to the physical act of capturing the image and developing it in a darkroom. It represents a very specific set of material conditions and human labor. What does that labor tell us? Editor: It emphasizes the connection between the photograph and the physical world, reminding me of the mule’s labor as well. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Thinking about its material history gives a deeper appreciation.