Untitled (animals in zoo band; a monkey playing the piano) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould showing a monkey playing a piano. It's quite surreal. What can we infer about the historical context and the materials used to create this image? Curator: Consider the labor involved in capturing this image. Was this a trained animal? What does the existence of this photograph say about the social relationship between humans and animals? What are the ethics surrounding this? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. The act of photographing is itself a form of consumption, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. And what is being consumed here? The image, yes, but also the spectacle of animal performance. Editor: So, it is more than just a funny picture of an animal. Curator: Indeed. This image compels us to analyze the dynamics of power and exploitation inherent in its production. Editor: Thanks for making me think about it differently!