Peru, page 16 1948

Robert Frank made this photograph, Peru, page 16, using black and white film, at an unknown date. The picture documents a chaotic scene; a crowd of people in silhouette watching a firework display, or some other kind of explosion. What really grabs me here is the texture, the gritty graininess of the film. It's almost like the image itself is exploding! This texture is part of the emotional resonance; the chaotic nature of the scene gives the sense of something both exciting and dangerous. Look at the top right corner of the image. The frame has a line of white dots along the edge, which gives the image a kind of analogue quality. These dots, along with the grainy texture, makes me think about how the image was made. Frank’s approach is a refreshing reminder that artmaking is a process, not just a result. I’m reminded of Garry Winogrand, another street photographer with a knack for capturing fleeting moments of urban life. Both artists were able to find beauty and meaning in the everyday, turning ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. Ultimately, the meaning of this photograph is something that each viewer will have to decide for themselves.