Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans
September 22, 2009–January 3, 2010 @ the Met
This exhibition will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The Americans, Robert Frank’s influential suite of black-and-white photographs made on a cross-country road trip in 1955–56.
Robert Frank - Elevator Girl
Oh man, this shot is the best.
Robert Frank is my guy. Without his influence I’d probably be a rich businessman smoking cigars in a golden hot tub with sexy ladies. Instead, I continue to pound my poverty stricken head against the walls of art galleries and film festivals. hmmm.
Check out his first film Pull My Daisy below. My first viewing of this was about a decade ago in a class. We had a 16mm print and watched it 3 times. First, was a normal viewing. Then we turned the picture off and listened to the audio, with words and narration by Jack Kerouac. Finally we watched with no sound, just picture. It’s a really great exercise in understanding why movies work or don’t work. I may have to try it again soon with a few old favorites…
