Guggenheim 483--Twentieth Century Fox film studio, Burbank, California 1956

This is Robert Frank’s ‘Guggenheim 483 – Twentieth Century Fox film studio, Burbank, California.’ It’s a black and white photograph shot in the US. Frank, as an outsider, had a knack for capturing the contradictions of American life. Here, the photo strip format is the key. It’s a sequence, suggesting the staged, manufactured nature of Hollywood. Note the man in the top hat, a clear symbol of old-fashioned glamour, repeated in multiple frames, almost like a product on an assembly line. The photo was taken at the Twentieth Century Fox film studio, itself an institution dedicated to image production. Frank subtly critiques the film industry's role in shaping cultural values and desires. He presents it as a dream factory, churning out fantasies for mass consumption. This image invites us to consider the power of visual media and its effects on society. To better understand Frank's work, it’s crucial to look at other examples of his photography, as well as research the history of Hollywood, and the rise of visual culture.