Convention 9 1956

Curator: Robert Frank’s "Convention 9," a contact print from 1956, captures a convention scene. It's raw, fragmented, almost like a memory reel. What stands out to you? Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the disorienting perspective. It’s not one cohesive image, but a collection of glimpses, emphasizing the individual frames and the photographic process itself. The high contrast contributes to a somewhat anxious or unsettled feeling. Curator: Exactly. Think about the production process behind a contact sheet like this—a record, a working tool for the photographer to evaluate his exposures and select images. By presenting it as a finished piece, Frank elevates the means of image-making itself to the level of art. Editor: Interesting. So, the subject is not merely the convention but photography itself? Each frame functions like a miniature study, with repeating forms – stars and people – adding a compositional rhythm. Curator: Yes, and consider what he chooses to include: partially obscured faces, blurred figures, moments of unease amid what should be a celebratory atmosphere. Frank's work critiques power, showing the political machine but hinting also at the disenfranchisement behind it. It comments on the illusion of cohesive narrative in an era of mass politics. Editor: You're right, that subversion of a neat, accessible storyline adds layers to this study. Curator: For sure. The format highlights how photography, especially documentary photography, shapes our perception and how it contributes to history and storytelling. The edges are important here, it is about how our image library shapes us and society. Editor: From a purely visual perspective, this organization – rows of varying lights, shades, densities – presents itself like a musical score. It transforms political reality into a formal exercise. But of course, with its social, cultural and even historical value embedded within. Curator: Frank pulls back the curtain, doesn’t he? I appreciate your eye for the rhythms here. It goes further beyond a mere subject captured through snapshots, "Convention 9" makes the method part of the statement. Editor: Ultimately it showcases a world reduced to a succession of captured frames. An honest attempt, no matter the original target!