From the bus 87 1958

Robert Frank made this photographic contact sheet, From the bus 87, using black and white film. It’s not about one perfect shot, but a series, a sequence, a vibe. I can imagine him on that bus, clicking away, trying to catch something. The repetition of the turbaned figure down the center strip suggests a fascination, almost an obsession, with this person in particular. But what does it mean? It’s like Frank is gathering evidence, collecting moments, trying to piece together a narrative. I love how casual and unpolished it feels, like a sketchbook page. It reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s photo works, where he’s also riffing on everyday imagery. This feels like a precursor, a hint of what was to come. We tend to isolate individual photos, but this work reminds us that artists are always building on what others have done, always experimenting.