Cowboys VII 1954

Robert Frank made this collage, Cowboys VII, from gelatin silver print. This artwork has a really photographic feel to it because it's made up of film strips placed in a collage. It reminds me of the darkroom, that space of experimentation for photographers. I can see how this could be such a playful piece for him to make. I bet Frank was thinking about how film could be used in different ways, especially since he was a very active photographer who used photography to document life. The random arrangement of these strips in Cowboys VII makes the work feel more spontaneous. The composition suggests that Frank was thinking about the juxtaposition of different images and what it might mean when we put them together. Like what the cowboys have to do with those sticks on the side. This collage isn’t just a record; it’s a form of expression, a commentary. Like painting, it is a constant exploration!