Mute/Blind 1989

Robert Frank made this photo collage, "Mute/Blind," with photographs and mixed media. I imagine him arranging those images, maybe shuffling them around until they felt right. There's something about the red paint splattered over the top that really grabs me. It's almost like he's trying to obscure the images, maybe to emphasize the idea of being blind or muted. The paint is thick and textured, like it was applied with a brush in a hurry, which creates a sense of urgency. Down below, the darkness is heavy, almost like a physical weight, while up above, the lightness and repetition of images, mostly dogs, feels almost manic. "Mute/Blind" reminds me a little of Gerhard Richter's photo paintings, where he blurs the images to create a sense of distance and detachment. Frank's work, though, feels more personal. Art is such a long, amazing conversation, don't you think?