Central Park--New York City no number c. early 1950s

Robert Frank created this photogram of Central Park in New York City, capturing fragments of urban life on a single sheet. The strips of film create a tableau of seemingly disparate images that, looked at together, capture a sense of time. Within this array, the presence of structures—bridges, buildings, and even the backs of buses—looms large. We can trace the bridge motif back through centuries, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Renaissance paintings where they are symbols of connection and transition. Yet, here, these structures create a feeling of division, casting shadows that cut across scenes of leisure. Consider, for instance, the way the city skyline is visible in the background of the park scenes, evoking a sense of human insignificance and a subtle commentary on modern alienation. Each carefully framed scene in the film strip contributes to the overall composition, hinting at the cyclical nature of urban existence.