Early New York City no number c. 1950 - 1951

Here is Robert Frank’s contact sheet, a set of gelatin silver prints capturing early New York City. Just look at this, what a cool way to view the world. I can see the artist walking around the city, a camera in hand, snapping shots of buildings, people, and daily life. I imagine him in the darkroom, developing the film, his eye closely inspecting the negative strip. Which shot to print? Which to discard? It’s always a question, what to keep, what to throw away. I feel the push and pull between the desire for control and the surrender to chance. The graininess, the blurriness—all these imperfections become part of the story. It reminds me of my own process, in painting, when I allow the unexpected mark or color to guide me. I have a fondness for artists who aren't afraid to embrace the messy and the imperfect. Frank has taught so many artists to look and think in a very particular way. He, in turn, was taught by others! It’s like we are all having a big conversation.