Saint Patrick's Day parade--New York City 4 17 - 1959

Editor: This is Robert Frank's "Saint Patrick's Day parade—New York City 4" taken in 1959, a gelatin-silver print showing several frames of a film strip. I notice the consistent backs of people in the parade, their identities obscured. What can you tell me about this? Curator: This contact sheet is particularly interesting because it pushes us to consider not only the content of the images, but the artist's process and perspective as well. Think about the political climate of the late 50s in America: conformity was heavily encouraged. Consider Frank’s outsider status as a Swiss immigrant. How might this sheet be seen as a commentary on power, identity, and the individual within a seemingly uniform culture? Editor: It’s like a rejection of individual faces in favour of anonymous participation. Why focus on backs instead of fronts? Curator: Exactly! The backs, the film strip format... It becomes a statement about visibility, representation, and even surveillance. Who gets to be seen, who is overlooked, and by whose gaze? Frank, in his role behind the camera, controls this gaze, deliberately choosing to show us the backs. What does this choice suggest to you? Editor: It's interesting you mention power and surveillance. It makes me consider what isn’t being shown and the critical stance the artist takes. The work definitely has more layers than I initially realised! Curator: It speaks volumes, doesn't it? By revealing his working process and using these visual cues, Frank compels us to critically examine the social structures embedded within seemingly celebratory public events like a parade. It invites questions about who belongs, who is celebrated, and who remains unseen. Editor: So this isn't just a photo; it's a form of social commentary using both the image and the format itself. It gives new meaning to the concept of "outsider art"! Curator: Precisely. The way Frank plays with visibility really encourages a viewer to question dominant narratives. This one's certainly given me a lot to think about.