A reevaluation of Robert frank

H

Hsg

who dares wins
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I was not a fan of Robert Frank, but then I bought into the hype and became his fan, that was until recently.

I've come to the conclusion that Robert Frank like his ilk: Winogrand, Arbus, Freelander, these are all merchants of ugliness.

Talent-less hacks who have got where they wanted to reach by nepotism and taking advantage of people's stupidity.
 
Hsg said:
I was not a fan of Robert Frank, but then I bought into the hype and became his fan, that was until recently.

I've come to the conclusion that Robert Frank like his ilk: Winogrand, Arbus, Freelander, these are all merchants of ugliness.

Talent-less hacks who have got where they wanted to reach by nepotism and taking advantage of people's stupidity.
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Ah, criticism by tweets. I'm not counting but something tells me each sentence is 140 characters or less?
 
Like the work of you do, or don't like it if you don't, that is your prerogative. I personally don't like red cars, but that does not mean that I think people who drive red cars are stupid.

Let's keep the RFF classy folks!

and on to the next thread......
 
The title of this thread implies reevaluation, which in turn implies thoughtful consideration. I'd like to hear the OP's thinking, not just empty opinion.

Certainly Frank's - and Arbus's, and Winogrand's, and "Freelander"'s - places in history are already guaranteed, so people more knowledgable than I have already spoken.

So let's hear it!

~Joe
 
Hsg said:
I was not a fan of Robert Frank, but then I bought into the hype and became his fan, that was until recently.

I've come to the conclusion that Robert Frank like his ilk: Winogrand, Arbus, Freelander, these are all merchants of ugliness.

Talent-less hacks who have got where they wanted to reach by nepotism and taking advantage of people's stupidity.
Click to expand...

"Merchants of ugliness" indeed. They showed us that photography can be used to convey a greater picture, that it doesn't have to be decorative or pleasing, but like other art forms, can be used to stimulate thought.

Could you please enlighten us with a famous photographer (or even person) who is not a "Talent-less hack(s) who have got where they wanted to reach by nepotism and taking advantage of people's stupidity"? I'm sure we would be able to cut them down to size for you.

Thank you for your opinion, I would like you to elaborate if you can please, I don't follow your reasoning.
 
Winogrand is occasionally harsh. Yet there is (arguably a whole lot of) greatness. I thought his photos were intriguing years before I knew anything about his life or about street photography. Ditto for Arbus, but perhaps to a lesser degree.

I've always been lukewarm about Robert Frank, though.
 
I believe Frank was a disgruntled European with the disdain so often indulged in by Europeans toward the country that saved their bacon twice in less than forty years. America is certainly not a perfect place, yet it has been the freest, most generous, most exceptional nation in history. Resenting that, Frank set out to photograph every bit of ugliness and tawdriness he could find -- and then to present it as if it were the true soul of America, rather than a vicious lie.
 
Hsg said:
Frank, Winogrand, Arbus, Freelander, these are all merchants of ugliness. … taking advantage of people's stupidity.
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I'm so glad this is a thing of the past and couldn't happen today! :D

Bruce_Gilden_Faces.jpg
 
Freest. Squirmishes.


Dave Jenkins said:
I believe Frank was a disgruntled European with the disdain so often indulged in by Europeans toward the country that saved their bacon twice in less than forty years. America is certainly not a perfect place, yet it has been the freest, most generous, most exceptional nation in history. Resenting that, Frank set out to photograph every bit of ugliness and tawdriness he could find -- and then to present it as if it were the true soul of America, rather than a vicious lie.
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"I was not a fan of Robert Frank, but then I bought into the hype and became his fan, that was until recently."

Sounds like your tastes and sensibilities are still in the process of maturing.
 
Baudelaire knew better than any of us 150 years ago: Beauty was the last chain on art to be broken.

Photography was born around the same time. Not a coincidence.

-

Personally I never found the mentioned photographers' works (except Arbus's) being ugly. Some have speed. Some are just absurd. All modern concepts, flourished in modern times, beyond the comprehension offered by the bland duality of beauty & ugliness.
 
Dave Jenkins said:
(snip) and then to present it as if it were the true soul of America, rather than a vicious lie.
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Did he present it as such? I though he just presented it, without commentary, as his experience in America. Please correct me if you can find any evidence of him saying those things. Just because it isn't your view does not mean it is wrong.

Either way, his art has resonated with you, you see it and interpret it and have a response that appears to be strong and emotional. In my mind, that makes it successful art.

To make a comparison, I see Trent Parke's Minutes to Midnight as "The Australians" - even if he doesn't present it as such. As an Australian, it provides an insight into Parke's view of his Australia. It is not mine, but that doesn't mean it is wrong and it doesn't mean it's not thought provoking or that I don't like it. It's one of my favorite books.
 
You do know that hist original homeland Switzerland was neutral during WWI and WWII? His father was a German Jew who lost his citizenship during Nazi era. Oh he was also a naturalized american citizen.

Dave Jenkins said:
I believe Frank was a disgruntled European with the disdain so often indulged in by Europeans toward the country that saved their bacon twice in less than forty years. America is certainly not a perfect place, yet it has been the freest, most generous, most exceptional nation in history. Resenting that, Frank set out to photograph every bit of ugliness and tawdriness he could find -- and then to present it as if it were the true soul of America, rather than a vicious lie.
Click to expand...
 
Dave Jenkins said:
I believe Frank was a disgruntled European with the disdain so often indulged in by Europeans toward the country that saved their bacon twice in less than forty years. America is certainly not a perfect place, yet it has been the freest, most generous, most exceptional nation in history. Resenting that, Frank set out to photograph every bit of ugliness and tawdriness he could find -- and then to present it as if it were the true soul of America, rather than a vicious lie.
Click to expand...

Not agreeing with the OP here....but you have taken it up a notch. lol.
 
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