Untitled (neon sign with Asian caricature) c. 1950

Curator: This piece, simply titled "Untitled (neon sign with Asian caricature)" is by Jack Gould. It presents, well, quite a striking image. Editor: It does have presence. The figure's got a cheerful, almost manic grin and those open arms…there's something unsettling about it. Curator: The way the neon casts light on this caricature, it feels like a bygone era, perhaps a commentary on the commercialization of culture, and maybe even our culture. Editor: Or maybe the mass production of such images? Who made this? The labor conditions and the material choices speak volumes about the intended audience and purpose. Curator: It's fascinating how something so small, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches, can hold such a weighty, complex narrative. Editor: Exactly! It's a reminder that even the most everyday objects are embedded with social and historical meaning. I could ponder this all day!