Untitled (dog dressed up in clown suit) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled silver gelatin print by Jack Gould, it features a dog dressed up in a clown suit. Editor: Well, immediately I'm struck by the high contrast and how the inverted tones render the familiar absurd. It's unsettling and comical at once. Curator: Absolutely. The image plays with the cultural role of pets, specifically dogs, and their place in domestic life versus the performative act of dressing them in clown attire. Editor: And the composition! The dog’s elevated stance atop a cubic pedestal, combined with the flatness of the backdrop, suggests a deliberate staging. Curator: Indeed. Gould is making a statement about the politics of imagery and the roles we assign to animals within the societal structure. Editor: I see it now! The interplay of light and shadow also adds another layer of complexity to the texture and form. A truly intriguing work. Curator: A simple photo that speaks volumes about society.