House being moved--Los Angeles 1955

This black and white photograph, taken by Robert Frank in Los Angeles, captures a house being moved down a street. Frank, a Swiss immigrant, gained notoriety for his raw depiction of American life. At first glance, we see a common enough scene. But this image speaks to the transient nature of the American dream, the constant movement and displacement that defines the cultural landscape. In post-war America, mobility symbolized progress, yet it also hinted at the disruption of communities. The house, stripped of its foundation, becomes a symbol of fragility and impermanence. The palm tree in the background roots the image in a specific location, but also heightens the sense of the surreal. Frank once said he aimed to capture “what one feels when one looks.” It is up to us to consider how the American dream excludes as much as it promises, and how its relentless pursuit impacts our sense of home and belonging.