Guggenheim 96/Ford 19/Lines of My Hand 64--Detroit 1955

This is a photographic work by Robert Frank, whose dates were 1924 to 2019. The image presents a film strip offering glimpses into the Ford factory in Detroit. I feel the physical act of working in the factory. The photographer is interested in the people who make the cars, not the cars themselves. I imagine Frank walking around the factory floor, trying to keep out of the way of the workers. He has a camera around his neck and he is taking pictures of the people working there. The workers are doing repetitive tasks day in and day out. It is a hard life. I get a sense that Frank feels a sense of compassion towards them. Frank documented everyday life, turning the ordinary into something poetic and resonant. I am reminded of other artists who focused on labor and industry like Charles Sheeler, or the documentary work of the Bechers. Ultimately it is about documenting social realities, offering a poignant reflection on American society. Each artist learns and builds upon what came before, and this piece builds upon that legacy.