An American Tale

Robert Frank. Elevator - Miami Beach, 1955.

Before Robert Franks “The Americans” show opens at the Met on September 22nd and Frank fever hits New York, this uncredited story from NPR’s website shines some fresh light on one of Frank’s lesser known images from the series:

One of photographer Robert Frank's most famous images aroused a particular interest from his friend, beat writer Jack Kerouac. In his introduction to Frank's book of photos The Americans, Kerouac writes, "That little ole lonely elevator girl looking up sighing in an elevator full of blurred demons, what's her name & address?"

Now we know.

Today, Sharon Collins lives in San Francisco. About 10 years ago she visited the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and found herself drawn to a particular photo — the same photo Jack Kerouac wrote about.

"I stood in front of this particular photograph for probably a full five minutes," she says. "And then it dawned on me that the girl in the picture was me."

The iconic shot shows a young girl, pressing an elevator button, looking up with an enigmatic expression. At the time, her name was Sharon Goldstein, and she lived in Miami Beach. At fifteen, she got a summer job as an elevator girl at the Sherry Frontenac Hotel. She says the hotel was always full of tourists, and many of them had cameras. Although she wishes she remembers this particular tourist, she doesn't. But she pieced together what happened by looking at Frank's contact sheet.

"Robert Frank took about four photos of me without a flash in the elevator. I didn't know he was taking them. And then when the elevator emptied he asked me to turn around and smile at the camera. So I flashed a smile, put my hands on my hips, and hammed it up for about eight or ten frames."

From the single image that was chosen for The Americans, Kerouac guessed she was lonely. But Collins thinks otherwise.

"It's not necessarily loneliness, it's ... dreaminess."

Photo by Ian Padgham. 2009.

Weekend Video

We're back with a new weekend video, and to celebrate the beginning of a new art season this one is all about performance and achieving your potential.

I &hearts Tokyo

A hipster grooving to his shadow at the opening night after-party.

It seems silly to try make any sensible pronouncements after six days in a country, four of which were spent in an exhibition hall. Saying how wonderful the people were sounds condescending, especially as at the end of the day, they’re just like us only generally more polite. So I thought I’d sum up with a selection of visual impressions, some taken on my iPhone and some on my Lumix.

And now I’m getting ready to start my 13 week beginner’s Japanese course. (Seriously.) I can’t wait to go back.

A hotel room begins to seem like home after a few days. Here's the view from my window.

An unusual looking dog.

The famous Shibuya crossing that seems right out of "Blade Runner".

Sign at the Mori Museum.

Two views of Tokyo from the Mori observation windows.

Louise Bourgeois' spider statue outside the Mori Museum.

The Roppongi Tower.

Armani ads hover over the escalators going into the Roppongi subway station.

Pens displayed at the Isetan department store.

Everything for your desk at the Isetan men's department.

The custom Leica display case at the Isetan men's department.

A bedside light that shines a pinpoint of light so you don't disturb your partner.

The famous Japanese toilets.

My one purchase for myself - fleece lined boat shoes made exclusively for the Japanese market by a Spanish shoe company.

Some details from Ameida, a market round the corner from the exhibition hall where I would buy my lunch.

Magazines with goodies inside at the airport.

Weekend Video

Thanks to the anonymous sender of the link to the above video. It gives a nice sense of the magic feeling of being in Tokyo. And thanks to the film-maker, Emily Nathan. (Please note: it may take a moment to load.)

Tokyo Photo ctd.

So you walk down Roppongi Street, take the little alley (above) next to the AM/PM store, and you’ll find the Belle Salle Roppongi where Tokyo Photo 2009 is taking place.

It’s beautifully organized by our hosts Tomo Harada and Toru Fukaya, the booths are immaculately built, and the crowds and response on opening night were overwhelming.

The Belle Salle Roppongi.

Here’s a glimpse of my booth. The fair is organized with “Photo America” upstairs. An exhibition anchored by the Museum of Photographic Arts and three American dealers – myself, Rose Shoshana, and Paul Kopeikin. Downstairs are 14 Japanese dealers from whom you’ll see my highlights, below. There’s a predominance of contemporary sized urban, industrial, and forest landscapes – but I guess you could say it’s an accurate representation of the country. There’s certainly not the same amount of personally introspective or constructed work you would see in America.

But going in order round the fair, here are some of the pieces that caught my eye:

Two pictures by Naoki Ishikawa at Gallery Terra.

Two urban landscape by Yurie Nagashima at Scai The Bathhouse Gallery.

Two photographs by Taiji Matsue at Taro Nasu Gallery that turned out to be of a model of Tokyo but were striking and vibrant nonetheless.

"Life's Little Worries" by Tatzu Nishi at Urano Aratani

Two views of Mount Fuji by Ken Kitano at MEM Gallery

Also at MEM, Yasumasa Morimura's "Hand Leonardo da Vinci" from 1996.

And two fairy tale looking forests by Yoshihiko Ueda at G/P Gallery.

And last but not least, a suite of gravures by Hiroshi Sugimoto, not readily available in the U.S., at Hiromiyoshi Gallery.

That's a quick Japanese floor report. More on the U.S. floor and Tokyo life tomorrow.

Tokyo Photo

Dear Readers,

I am in Tokyo for the next week participating in the first Tokyo Photo Fair. It's also my first trip to Japan. I arrived last night.

The 13 1/2 hour flight over was surprisingly comfortable and my first taste of Japan was being faced with the above drink machine outside the airport. A difficiult choice, but as you can see I settled on the Mets grapefruit soda (delicious) before going into town on the friendly (and efficient) limousine bus.

We install the show today so stay tuned for regular updates.