Museum of Modern Art 7 1955

Editor: Here we have Robert Frank's "Museum of Modern Art 7," a gelatin silver print from 1955. It looks like strips of film, maybe contact sheets, showing scenes inside what I presume is the MoMA. There’s a rawness to it that feels almost voyeuristic. What stands out to you in this image? Curator: This piece gives us insight into the art world's mid-century dynamics. We are essentially seeing outtakes – rejected images marked with red crosses – presented as art. Consider the institutional critique at play. Frank seems to be questioning not only what is deemed worthy of display but the very social fabric of the art world itself. Notice the subjects: are they appreciating the art or primarily engaged in social rituals? Editor: That's a compelling point. The red "X" marks really do change how I perceive this; it seems intentional to show what’s discarded. Is this his way of leveling a critique? Curator: Precisely! This deliberate inclusion implicates the viewer. We are looking at what the institution rejects. Frank challenges the established hierarchy of taste. Think about the democratizing potential of photography as a medium, compared to painting or sculpture at the time. He is making art accessible, almost commonplace. Do you feel he succeeds in doing this? Editor: I do. Presenting the image this way invites viewers like me into a conversation about those decisions. What is worthy? Who decides? I suppose in my mind these are relevant, important questions still! Curator: Exactly. Frank used his photography to highlight those conversations. Understanding Frank’s cultural critique enriches our understanding and brings it to a wider audience. Editor: I'll never look at a contact sheet the same way again! It goes to show that even in art, the process of selection and exclusion shapes how we see the world.