Parade--New York City no number 1949

Robert Frank’s filmstrip "Parade—New York City" presents us with an array of urban scenes, each a fleeting glimpse into the life of the city. Note how the parade appears fragmented, almost dreamlike. Consider the motif of the parade itself. Parades historically are displays of collective identity and strength, dating back to ancient triumphal processions. Yet, here, the parade is not a singular, coherent spectacle but a series of disconnected moments. This fragmentation echoes similar themes in modern art, where traditional symbols are deconstructed to reflect a sense of alienation and uncertainty. The faces of the spectators, caught in their individual bubbles, remind me of how Renaissance crowds were portrayed, each face a study in human emotion. Yet, unlike the Renaissance, there is a sense of isolation rather than unity. This shift in meaning highlights the psychological impact of modernity. The collective memory of celebration becomes tinged with individual introspection. A powerful force engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, revealing the cyclical nature of human experience, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings.