Actors--Filming "Steibruch" 1942

Curator: This is Robert Frank’s gelatin-silver print, “Actors--Filming 'Steibruch',” from 1942. The title itself gives insight to the process. Editor: It has such a stark and somber feel, doesn’t it? The heavy shadows really amplify the intensity of the scene. Almost oppressive. Curator: Yes, look at the textural qualities; Frank captured this with very high contrast. You can see this in the way the light reflects off the actors' clothes. This choice contributes greatly to the image’s gritty realism, wouldn't you say? I see how Frank transforms the materiality of filmmaking, highlighting its own staged nature by his choices of print making. Editor: Indeed. Realism also defines the historical context; cinema, particularly during this time, served as a powerful tool for propaganda and shaping public perception, especially in war time Europe. How do you see this impacting the photo itself? Curator: That's important context. You can see the bare wooden construction of the set. Frank uses the camera to emphasize the physical labour and the makeshift nature of the production, questioning the relationship between art and the socio-political climate of Switzerland during this era. Editor: Right. And you see how it highlights the behind-the-scenes, raw reality against what viewers expect. It really deconstructs the cinematic illusion. It's such an interesting reflection on artifice and the power dynamics at play, given that photography has often been used to influence public opinion. Curator: I'd also like to touch upon his choice of the gelatin-silver print which affects the look of monochrome. You feel it affects the overall feel and tone? Editor: Absolutely, It gives it that timeless feel, cementing the relationship of the historical themes captured, with the contemporary moment. Curator: A compelling and poignant glimpse behind the camera's lens, reminding us of cinema’s ability to construct a new world. Editor: Indeed, offering both an intimate and sobering look into the workings of media creation and its role in shaping our realities.