Early New York City 4 c. 1950

Robert Frank made this contact sheet, called *Early New York City 4,* at an unknown date with gelatin silver prints. What I love about contact sheets is that they show the artist's process. It’s like looking at the artist’s brain. The series of images gives us a glimpse into Frank's mind and method; it's raw and unfiltered. The dark frames and shadowy figures evoke a sense of the city's underbelly, the parts unseen. The juxtaposition of light and shadow creates a moody atmosphere, like a visual poem about the urban experience. The placement of each frame, the sequence, it all adds up to a larger story. Frank reminds me of Garry Winogrand in his approach, capturing fleeting moments with a sense of urgency. Both artists embraced the chaos of the city, turning it into art. Art is about seeing and experiencing, it allows us to see the world through another’s eyes.