Orbach's closing--New York City no number 1954 - 1955

Robert Frank created "Orbach's closing--New York City no number" as an gelatin silver print on fiber paper. Here, strips of negatives are arranged in rows and columns to form a grid-like structure that is both visually compelling and intellectually stimulating. The materiality of the film is also evident and plays a central role in the photograph's aesthetic. The perforations along the edges, the frame numbers, and the manufacturer's markings are all visible, reminding us of the physical process of image-making. Frank’s work offers a glimpse into the world of semiotics. Each strip is a signifier of a wider social context, with content that ranges from protests to cityscapes. By showing these strips together, Frank is asking us to consider how we create meaning from images and how these meanings are shaped by cultural codes and conventions. It encourages us to reflect on the nature of photography itself.