Guggenheim 764--Chicago 1956

Robert Frank created *Guggenheim 764--Chicago* using gelatin silver print. The image is not the photograph itself but the roll of film, the matrix that would produce the final image. The inherent qualities of gelatin silver printing allow for sharp contrasts and fine details, crucial for Frank's documentary style, enabling a clear representation of each frame. The film strip form and visible sprocket holes emphasize photography's mechanical and serial nature, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the artist’s process of capturing images. This is a very modern approach. Frank's use of a camera and film highlights the social context of mass production and consumption, while the photo's content captures everyday life, and how individuals navigate public spaces. The act of selecting and framing these moments involves labor, and the final print is a product of this labor. The roll of film also reminds us of the labor involved in manufacturing the raw materials that became the artwork. By emphasizing the materials, process, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the image, appreciating Frank's challenge to traditional art boundaries.