Guggenheim 165--Inauguration, Washington, D.C. 1957

Robert Frank made this contact sheet in Washington, D.C., using, I'm guessing, a trusty Leica camera and a keen eye. It's all about process, right? The raw, unedited roll – a peek behind the curtain. Look at the stark black and white; the high contrast gives everything a gritty feel, almost like charcoal on paper. There’s no hiding here. It's not just about the images themselves but the whole thing: the sprocket holes, the frame numbers, the notes and markings. They give this thing a real sense of being a slice of life. Check out the frame in the middle, marked with a red outline. It shows a motorcade with people crammed into the vehicles, almost like a sardine tin. Then look at the picture below, slashed through with red like Frank was saying “no” to this particular shot. It is all about choices and decisions. Frank's influence is everywhere, but I also think about Walker Evans, who likewise had a knack for finding beauty and narrative in the everyday. Ultimately, this contact sheet invites us to embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of making art.