Hotel lobby--Los Angeles 1955

This silver gelatin print by Robert Frank captures a hotel lobby in Los Angeles, its starkness softened by a peculiar statue. Dominating the scene is the winged statue on the counter, reminiscent of classical depictions of victory or angels. Its pose, with one arm raised, evokes images of Nike of Samothrace, a symbol of triumph. Here, this classic motif is repurposed, standing atop what seems to be an advertisement for free televisions. This juxtaposition is jarring. The noble gesture of victory is now peddling consumer goods. It mirrors the evolution of symbols throughout history, like a snake shedding its skin. What once represented spiritual transcendence is now entwined with the material allure of modern life. The image stirs a deep unease, a recognition of how easily our highest ideals can be co-opted by the mundane. The past is ever-present, its echoes transformed, sometimes distorted, in the relentless march of time.