Hollywood 35 1958

Robert Frank's "Hollywood 35" is a gelatin silver print that invites us into the heart of symbolic representation. The Star of David, daubed on a wall, looms large. Its six points have long served as a potent emblem of Jewish identity, hope, and resilience. Consider how this symbol resonates across time. From ancient mosaics in synagogues to its dark appropriation during the Holocaust, the Star of David is a palimpsest of history. Here, Frank presents it in a raw, almost discarded manner, echoing the fragmented nature of identity in postwar America. The star reappears in different guises throughout history, each time imbued with new layers of meaning. Think of its use in medieval Kabbalah, where it represented the connection between the spiritual and physical realms. The psychological power of symbols lies in their ability to tap into our collective memory and subconscious. Frank masterfully evokes this, urging us to confront the multifaceted and ever-evolving nature of symbols.