Of course I know Robert Frank and his famous book, but I didn’t know he stop photographing and made films. I also didn’t know he made those collages later in his life. Do you have a source where to find them (well, I guess I can google it). This was an excellent read. Thank you!
Great post! I’ve always shied away from video because of the time commitment involved and yet will think nothing of spending 10 hours editing a set of photos. I guess it’s ultimately what puts you in that state of “flow”. Also, do you really think it’s harder to create a novel than a poem? Not sure I’d agree with this.
There’s something reassuring about a still photograph. It’s like a stone you can hold in your hand or put in your pocket. A moving image is like water — you can’t stop it from slipping between your fingers and running away.
This is a lovely metaphor and certainly true for how I enjoy photography. I think I am too impatient and too meditative to watch all these short form videos
I'm reminded of Frederic Jameson's comment about the difference between film and television: with the former there is an ending, a moment of closure, and the memory can begin its work of digesting what it has seen. The most important moment in a piece of music is the silence at the end, which assigns each note its final meaning. It is this kind of closure, underpinning the narrative character of memory, that our media society denies. An excellent post, thank you. I especially enjoyed the Frank quote – that's going into my notes for certain.
Thank you! I’ve been thinking about the culture’s unwillingness to engage with transmuting experience into something artful. Most photographers prefer the raw and ongoing nature of everyday life, possibly leading to the solipsistic dead-end we have now. At least Frank recognised the limitations!
Frank is by far my favourite photographer. I found his video for "Rocks Off" to be far more interesting than "Cocksucker Blues." In Rocks Off, Frank struggles to conjure a liminal space between photography and film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lNP-x94-SE
That is incredible but it says edited by Nuno Monteiro in 2009, so is presumably based on his photographs and film footage, rather than created by him ??? Did you see his video for New Order? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyaNMoam9KY
Of course I know Robert Frank and his famous book, but I didn’t know he stop photographing and made films. I also didn’t know he made those collages later in his life. Do you have a source where to find them (well, I guess I can google it). This was an excellent read. Thank you!
I can recommend “Don’t Blink”, a 2015 documentary about Robert Frank that covers his turn to filmmaking. I prefer his photographs.
Thanks for the tip! I found a copy online and will give it a watch.
Found the book! Thanks again!
Great post! I’ve always shied away from video because of the time commitment involved and yet will think nothing of spending 10 hours editing a set of photos. I guess it’s ultimately what puts you in that state of “flow”. Also, do you really think it’s harder to create a novel than a poem? Not sure I’d agree with this.
Thank you! Yes, maybe it is an introvert/extrovert thing.
I have seen friends take 3 years writing a novel but don’t know many poets so maybe they spend an equal amount of time!!!
Very thought-provoking post.
There’s something reassuring about a still photograph. It’s like a stone you can hold in your hand or put in your pocket. A moving image is like water — you can’t stop it from slipping between your fingers and running away.
This is a lovely metaphor and certainly true for how I enjoy photography. I think I am too impatient and too meditative to watch all these short form videos
Good moon-gate article.
Very interesting things to muse over…
I'm reminded of Frederic Jameson's comment about the difference between film and television: with the former there is an ending, a moment of closure, and the memory can begin its work of digesting what it has seen. The most important moment in a piece of music is the silence at the end, which assigns each note its final meaning. It is this kind of closure, underpinning the narrative character of memory, that our media society denies. An excellent post, thank you. I especially enjoyed the Frank quote – that's going into my notes for certain.
Thank you! I’ve been thinking about the culture’s unwillingness to engage with transmuting experience into something artful. Most photographers prefer the raw and ongoing nature of everyday life, possibly leading to the solipsistic dead-end we have now. At least Frank recognised the limitations!
Frank is by far my favourite photographer. I found his video for "Rocks Off" to be far more interesting than "Cocksucker Blues." In Rocks Off, Frank struggles to conjure a liminal space between photography and film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lNP-x94-SE
That is incredible but it says edited by Nuno Monteiro in 2009, so is presumably based on his photographs and film footage, rather than created by him ??? Did you see his video for New Order? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyaNMoam9KY