Detroit Experiences: Robert Frank Photographs, 1955

Over 60 rare and many never-before-seen black-and-white photographs taken in Detroit by legendary artist Robert Frank are the subject of this exhibition. The work was created while Frank traveled throughout the United States in 1955 to take photographs for his ground-breaking book The Americans, published in 1958.

Renowned for its automobiles, assembly line ingenuity and tough blue collar work force, Detroit was an inspiration for artist Robert Frank who photographed people and the places they lived, worked and spent their leisure time. In factories, at lunch counters, in drive-ins, and while visiting other familiar sites including Belle Isle and Briggs Stadium, Frank captured life that was distinctly American. Through his images, he transformed the everyday experiences of Detroiters into an extraordinary visual statement about American life in the 1950s.

Robert Frank, American (born Switzerland), born 1924

Detroit Experiences: Robert Frank Photographs, 1955