"Vogue" women--New York City 3 1952 - 1953

Curator: This gelatin silver print, taken by Robert Frank between 1952 and 1953, offers a fascinating insight into post-war New York. Titled "Vogue women--New York City 3", the image presents several strips of film, appearing as a proof sheet. Editor: The dark strips elegantly frame sequences of captured moments. The gray scale is very effective in drawing you in to this grid. There's something very rhythmic and ordered, yet raw and real about this piece. Curator: Indeed. Frank's work is significant here because it moved against the grain of conventional photography during that period. You know, photojournalism and commercial work—and, indeed, high fashion, considering it's named 'Vogue Women.' Instead, Frank presents something quite rough around the edges. The presentation mimics his overall style which was gritty, and challenging for the audience to digest. Editor: Absolutely. It's in the sequencing, that we get the nuance, the feeling. Look at the light and shadow. The sharp contrasts almost seem to vibrate. See the repetition of forms, too? Curator: Yes, and observe how Frank captured urban life during a time of significant social and political change. His photographs have often been seen to critique consumerism and the idealized versions of American life presented at the time. The 'Vogue' title is intentionally ironic, drawing a link between the curated elegance of high fashion with Frank’s version of street photography. Editor: It's captivating how the repetition establishes a visual cadence that’s not immediately obvious. You have to invest a few seconds in trying to create your own meaning and connections in the cityscapes, and urban scenes depicted. Curator: And what might otherwise seem like a series of rejects are imbued with an artistic voice. The piece invites you to contemplate the realities behind idealized facades. What seems discarded contains so much more. Editor: Frank pushes us to rethink what we perceive to be traditionally acceptable as a presentation of art. Thank you for helping me observe a much bigger world within what could seem like simple images on film. Curator: It’s a pleasure to explore Frank's work through a focused, social lens. His photography has the power to force one to face questions and reflect on our ever-changing social constructs.