Untitled (monkey riding tricycle) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an intriguing photograph, "Untitled (monkey riding tricycle)," by Jack Gould. Editor: It's unsettling, yet captivating. The stark contrast and the subject matter create this sense of unease, like a dream you can’t quite decipher. Curator: The image prompts reflection on the treatment and spectacle of animals, particularly primates, within entertainment. Editor: Absolutely. The monkey, isolated on that tricycle, seems to embody a kind of exploited innocence, raising questions about agency and performance. It begs, what are we looking at here, truly? Curator: The tricycle itself speaks to childhood and a loss of innocence and wonderment given its current rider. Editor: It’s a powerful piece. A stark reminder of how easily we normalize the exploitation of other beings. Curator: Indeed, a photograph prompting both discomfort and critical thought.