Parade c. 1945

Robert Frank shot this small, square photograph, Parade, at an unknown date. It’s a tightly packed image, full of people. I imagine Frank, camera in hand, pushing his way through the crowd, trying to find the right angle. It’s a high-contrast scene, almost grainy, which gives it a raw, immediate feel. Look at the sea of hats. Each one is a little world. The people feel close, almost suffocating. There’s a Swiss flag, hanging vertically from the top of the building, almost like a streak of white paint. It cuts through the scene, adding a chaotic note to the formal architecture in the background. Frank’s known for his street photography, capturing everyday life with a sense of grit and spontaneity. I guess he was just trying to capture a fleeting moment, trying to find a way to make an image out of everyday life. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s a fragment, a glimpse. Make of it what you will.”