Untitled (animals in zoo band; a dog playing the bells) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing photograph, "Untitled (animals in zoo band; a dog playing the bells)" by Jack Gould. The dog almost seems to be suspended in air. What kind of symbols do you see in this image? Curator: The dog, poised with the bells, evokes the archetype of the "trickster" figure, common in folklore. This challenges our perception of animals, suggesting performance and learned behavior. Note the stool's ornate carvings; they mimic the dog’s learned performance. Editor: So, it's like the image is questioning what we consider natural versus artificial? Curator: Precisely. The zoo backdrop reinforces this, a stage where nature is curated, and animals become performers. The image invites us to reflect on our own roles in this constructed world. Editor: I never would have considered those layers! Thanks!