Sam Cooke for "Glamour" no number 1964

Editor: This is Robert Frank's "Sam Cooke for 'Glamour' no number," a contact print from 1964. Seeing all the frames laid out like this gives it such a raw, intimate feeling, almost like we're peering behind the scenes. What does this layout, and the imagery itself, tell you about the piece? Curator: Well, it gives insight into the construction of celebrity and the role of photography in that process. Frank's choice to present the contact sheet reveals the usually hidden labour and decisions behind crafting an image. We aren't just seeing Sam Cooke; we’re seeing how "Glamour" magazine aimed to represent him. Editor: So, it's about controlling the narrative, even? Curator: Precisely. The context of 1964 is crucial. Consider the Civil Rights Movement, the increasing visibility of Black artists like Cooke, and the power of media outlets like "Glamour" to shape public perception. Frank's work subtly questions that power, by revealing the editing and selection. How might different choices of images construct different narratives around Cooke? Editor: That’s fascinating, thinking about how easily a photo can be manipulated for a specific agenda. Each of these individual photos has the potential to tell an entirely different story depending on what's emphasized. Curator: And even Frank's choice to display the contact sheet challenges the clean, polished image we'd expect from "Glamour." It democratizes the photographic process, suggesting the constructed nature of fame. It gives us a peek behind the curtain. Editor: I see what you mean, by literally presenting all the outtakes too, Frank is opening the process up for debate. Curator: Exactly! Which shifts the control. It's not just about Sam Cooke anymore; it's about the entire industry and its relationship to its subjects and audiences. Editor: Wow, I definitely didn't see all of that initially. Thanks, that’s given me a completely new perspective! Curator: Indeed, it is an interesting dialogue. I hadn't previously looked at how each selected image, presented or dismissed, had its role within society.