Guggenheim 648B--Elementary school, San Francisco c. 1956

This contact sheet, made by Robert Frank, captures scenes at an elementary school in San Francisco. The monochrome palette lends the work a documentary feel, like candid shots strung together. Each frame offers a peek into different moments, a mosaic of school life, that lets us imagine what's outside each border. I’m drawn to the strip showing what seems like a dance lesson. The figures are blurred, in motion, and there’s an energy to the composition that’s palpable. Those slightly unfocused edges of the figures almost feel like a painting, as if the light itself is smearing the outlines. It's as though Frank isn't just recording but also composing a feeling, an impression of a memory. Looking at this piece, I’m reminded of the work of Garry Winogrand, who also had this knack for capturing the chaos and beauty of everyday life. Ultimately, this contact sheet invites us to see the world as Frank did – full of fleeting moments, each with its own story to tell.