Election day--Switzerland 3 1949

Robert Frank made this photogram, Election day--Switzerland 3, by placing strips of film directly onto light-sensitive paper. It’s a simple method, but the results feel raw and immediate. The photogram includes multiple frames, each a glimpse into a specific moment, almost like frames of thought. The light passes through the film, creating a range of gray tones from solid black to almost translucent. This creates depth through layering, which makes the images come alive. I'm especially drawn to one area where Frank has outlined a group of people, emphasizing their presence within the larger scene. This makes me think about the way art can isolate a detail, prompting a closer look at what might otherwise be overlooked. Frank's approach reminds me a bit of what Moholy-Nagy was doing with photograms back in the Bauhaus, embracing chance and direct contact. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s how I see it, but it's up for grabs."