Convention hall—Chicago 1956

Robert Frank shot 'Convention hall—Chicago' with a camera, sometime during his career. The eye is led into the image by a mirror reflecting a crowd of people, a chandelier, fancy molding; a world of ceremony and event is being presented. I can imagine Frank observing the scene, considering reflections, light, and the human element, then choosing the right moment to capture the image. It reminds me a bit of what Gerhard Richter was doing in painting at the same time, trying to record lived existence, without being sentimental, just showing what it was. Maybe Frank thought about the contrast between public spectacle and private reflection when he pressed the shutter. Maybe he just liked the light. Painters and photographers are always in conversation with each other, figuring out how to represent what they see and experience. There's no one right answer, just different ways of looking.