Untitled (chimp playing the piano) c. 1950

Curator: The composition of this piece, "Untitled (chimp playing the piano)" by Jack Gould, is quite striking in its tonal range, isn’t it? Editor: It's surreal, almost unsettling. That chimp, dressed and posed like that, it evokes so many loaded symbols. Curator: Precisely! The juxtaposition of the animal form with such a distinctly human instrument generates a visual tension, doesn’t it? The strong vertical lines of the tent clash against the curve of the piano. Editor: It makes me think about the history of representing animals in human contexts and what that signifies. The stage set suggests performance, artifice, even exploitation. Curator: Indeed, the photographic grey scale adds another layer of complexity. We lose any vibrant colour to soften the image, allowing us to see the texture in the chimp’s fur. Editor: It certainly does. This photograph is much more than just a whimsical snapshot. Curator: Absolutely. A very interesting piece of formal composition. Editor: Yes, an image that continues to speak volumes.