Family--New York City no number 1954

Robert Frank made this contact sheet, "Family--New York City no number," with photographic materials. The array of images, organized in strips, give us a peek into the artist's process. It’s like looking at a painter's palette—you can see where he was headed, the possibilities considered. I love how the textures play out here. The grain of the film is so present, like the weave of a canvas. Notice the contrast between the sharp focus in some frames and the blur in others, creating a rhythm across the sheet. The dark, dense areas make the lighter parts feel almost luminous. Look closely at the frame in the middle; it looks almost totally blown out. It reminds me a bit of Gerhard Richter's photo paintings, where the blur and imperfections become the point. Both artists embrace chance and imperfection. It makes you realize art isn't about perfection but about capturing a moment, an idea, a feeling—messiness and all.