New York City 2 c. 1952 - 1953

Robert Frank’s photographic contact sheet, *New York City 2*, shows the artist’s process and working method. The materiality is right there, the edge markings, the handwritten notes. The surface of the print is tactile; I can almost feel the texture of the paper, the contrast between the smooth emulsion of the images and the matte border. Look at the image in the lower left, it has an unfinished quality, a kind of rawness and immediacy. It’s a glimpse into Frank's intuitive approach, capturing the gritty reality of urban life. Frank’s work reminds me a bit of Garry Winogrand, another street photographer who fearlessly captured the chaos and energy of city life. Both artists embraced chance and spontaneity, creating images that feel raw and unedited. Ultimately this piece shows us that art is an ongoing conversation, a process of exploration and discovery, where there's no right or wrong answer.