Mary--Harper's Bazaar studio, 57th Street c. 1950

Here's this photographic contact sheet, "Mary--Harper's Bazaar studio, 57th Street," made by Robert Frank. It's a field, or rather a grid, of possible poses, a record of all these tries. The light seems even, bright, and kind of blank. I imagine Frank, with his camera, trying to get the perfect shot, and this dancer, Mary, who seems to be searching for a pose that feels both natural and expressive. It’s like she's trying on different emotions, seeing which one fits. Mary's clad in dark tones that contrast with the brightness of the studio space, and she's trying out different poses that range from casual to contemplative. Each frame is like a little experiment and, as a group, they show the creative process in real-time. They remind me that art-making is about exploring and embracing all the attempts that lead to a finished work. Artists, like Frank, teach us that the process of discovery is just as important as the result.