Untitled (man with elephant standing on tricycle) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould showing a man with an elephant on a tricycle. It's small, only about 2x2 inches. The negative image gives it a ghostly feel. What strikes you about it? Curator: As a materialist, I see a fascinating intersection of labor and spectacle. The elephant, likely forced into performance, is literally elevated by a child’s toy. Consider the social context of animal performance and the means of production of both the tricycle and this photographic negative. How does this image speak to issues of power, consumption, and the commodification of both animal and human labor? Editor: That's a lot to consider! I hadn't thought about the labor aspect so directly. Curator: Indeed. The very process of capturing this image – the chemical reactions on the film, the photographer's choices – all contribute to a narrative about the control and manipulation inherent in such a scene. Editor: Thanks, I see so much more now than just a funny picture.