Robert Frank

Robert Frank

(09/11/24)

Robert frank came to fame through his work on America. Whilst sponsored by Guggneheim Fellowship, he travelled across forty-eight states of America.

What was important about this was a place considered to be were people went to live their dreams; get rich and live happily.

Through Frank’s clear documentation of America, it was clear to see there was a dramatic difference between the publicized America by the tourist board and the truth.

Segregation was ripe and racism was everywhere during the time of capturing on film. The land of the free seemed more of a prison for the minority.

The front cover sums up the publication of images; segregation is clear to see. African American people are at the back of the bus in the so-called poor seats while white people are at the front.

The whole idea of being an outcast or discriminated against was nothing new to Robert Frank, born into a Jewish family living in Switzerland. During World War 1, his father was made stateless and had to apply for a Switzerland citizenship, nothing materialized during the constant threat of Nazi occupation in Switzerland but his family was constantly worrying about the future.

This in its self must have made Robert Franks decision to show the real truth on America more important then money and fame from, their creation; as personal suffering will always make an individual persist, delve deeper and discover the truth and show discrimination in its entirety.

Robert Frank, The Americans, United states of America, Grove Press,1959

http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/image/235588627125243945971246/ (accessed 21/05/2011)