Signs and symbols

Exercise 15 - This exercise revolves around "The Americans" by Robert Frank.

1. Find 5 images in 'The Americans' where symbols are used. Explain what they are and how they are used.

2. Read the introduction to Frank's book written by Jack Kerouac, find symbolic references that you can also identify in Frank's photograph (not necessarily the same symbols identified in the 5 images selected in part 1).

Robert Frank's book "The Americans" was published in 1958 after a road trip, sponsored by the Guggenheim Fellowship, covering 30 states of America. Franks shot some 767 rolls of film during the trip and it took him the best part of a year to develop and then make final selection for the book.

Question 1: Find 5 images in 'The Americans' where symbols are used. Explain what they are and how they are used.

Images selected:

1. Newburg, New York

1. Parade, Hoboken, New York

1. Drugstore lunch counter, Detroit

1. Cafe-Beaufont, South Carolina

1. Covered car, Long Beach, California

Newburg, New York
This photograph could be a still form "The Wild One" - the attitude, the motorbike, the Levi 501's with the deep turn-ups; the leather jacket complete with studs; the Aviator sun glasses and the Starburst motorcycle cap! In terms of capturing the 1950's 'rebel without a cause' look, you can go no further than this photograph. Post war, rebellious youth driving change in both fashion and music; the move from clean, smart suits to utilitarian denim and leather; welcome rock 'n' roll. Every element in this photograph is symbolic to that era. Especially interesting is the integration of black and white culture, clearly the three young men are together by choice and consider themselves to be equals. Again this captures the start of Civil Rites movement in America.


Parade, Hoboken, New York
The flag of the United States of America, a symbol regularly photographed by Franks. I speculate that to Franks, coming from Switzerland, this display of fierce national pride was a very new phenomenon for him. The two women observing the Parade, do not want to be directly involved; this is clear from their upstairs vantage point, but also from the way in which Franks has captured them - present, but remaining in the shadows and obscured by the window blind and the flag. Is this meant to be a refection of the role of women in 1950's America, or a reflection of the role women had played during the war - men on the front line, women staying at home?


Drugstore lunch counter, Detroit
A 1950's fast food restaurant - fast food for people in a hurry. The overall feel of the image is 'busy' - very busy (presumably lunch time) with people and very busy with merchandising/advertising boards hanging from the ceiling. It's difficult to be sure, but it doesn't look like any of the people sitting at the bar are together, there does not appear to be any conversations taking place. As the critics have commented, is this Franks depicting "America as a society with a deep-rooted sense of psychological isolation, what sociologist David Riesman called 'the lonely crowd'".


Cafe-Beaufont, South Carolina
The jukebox, a classic symbol in Franks photography. This images is as uncluttered as the Drugstore is cluttered. The cafe basic and spotlessly clean - the plane wooden cabin; the very basic wooden table and chairs; the lack of curtains at the windows; the simple padded bed on the floor for the baby. It just makes in all the more incongruous to find this very stylish and ornate jukebox in this cafe. The only logical conclusion can be that music is exceptionally important to the owner of the cafe and its community. Is it possible that Dizzy Gillespie frequented this cafe? Symbolic and iconic....


Covered car, Long Beach, California
Symbols - expensive cars, glorious weather, palm trees, living the dream. The assumption is the car is expensive, otherwise why would you cover it with a tarpaulin? The same assumption holds true for the weather, the sun must be scorching. Also. comparing the size of the car with the door behind it looks very large. Thus, living in the sunshine state and driving a big expensive car you must be living the dream.  


Question 2: Read the introduction to Frank's book written by Jack Kerouac, find symbolic references that you can also identify in Frank's photograph (not necessarily the same symbols identified in the 5 images selected in part 1).

Key symbols employed by Franks in his photographs:

1. Flags
2. Cowboys
3. Rich Socialites
4. Jukeboxes
5. Politicians
6. Vehicles
7. People - cultural observation of blacks and whites

An interesting, if somewhat rambling, introduction by Kerouac - from the style and the grammar it's not surprising that he was a rebel. He does however make some profound statements: 

"For this [The Americans] he will definitely be hailed as a great artist in his field."

"This is the way we are in real life and if you don't like it I don't know anything about it 'cause I'm living my own life my way and may God bless us all..."

"Anybody doesn't like these pitchers don't like potry, see? Anybody don't like potry go home see Television shots of big hatted cowboys tolerated by kind horses."

In terms of Kerouac's introduction he mentions numerous symbolic references, certainly all those listed above as he describes the photographs (in his own style):

"... you end up finally not knowing any more whether a jukebox is sadder than a coffin."

"Tall thin cowboy rolling butt outside Madison Square Garden ... sad, spindly, unbelievable" 

 "Haggard old frowsy dames ..."

 "... retired old codgers ..."

References used for this exercise:  

Tate - Six reflections on the photography of Robert Frank

Robert Frank’s “The Americans”:Timeless Lessons Street Photographers Can Learn by Eric Kim

Lens Culture - The American's by Robert Frank

The New English Review - Looking at Robert Frank's "The Americans" by Terry Dunford

New York Times, Art & Design - America, captured in a flash