Untitled (rhinoceros in zoo) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, measuring a modest 6 by 6 centimeters, and it depicts rhinoceroses in a zoo. Editor: The high contrast lends it a stark, almost alien quality, doesn't it? A somber mood pervades. Curator: Indeed. The composition emphasizes the rhinos’ textures, the folds and creases of their skin creating a complex topography. Gould clearly manipulates light here to emphasize form. Editor: And to highlight their vulnerability, perhaps? These magnificent creatures, reduced to a zoo enclosure, their power symbolically caged as much as physically. Curator: You introduce an interesting point regarding the symbolism, but I think the photograph primarily explores form and tonality, the animals themselves almost incidental to this exploration. Editor: Maybe. But situating this image within the broader context of wildlife conservation efforts, I find it difficult to disassociate the aesthetic qualities from the political realities. Curator: A valid viewpoint, grounding the image in a contemporary discourse. Editor: Precisely. It's difficult to look away from the ethical implications.