Identity

Identity- Book stock

Identity is a term used to describe a person's conception and expression of their individuality or group affiliations (such as national identity and cultural identity). The term is used more specifically in psychology and sociology, and is given a great deal of attention in social psychology. The term is also used with respect to place identity. - (apple mac dictionary)

I see identity as a number of things, such as own personal individuality identity, characteristics, beliefs, personal choices such as style and preferences, also national identity what makes you apart of where you live, what makes you a part of your country and your nationality. This takes me to the work of Robert Frank- The Americans... The American dream, Roberts Franks Dream in a way...

Robert Frank The Americans

Depicts American in a different light to what America was being portrayed as at the time more on that later, firstly Frank traveled around america to various states such as New York, New Orleans, Huston, Miami and many more over several road trips between 1955 and 1956. Taking diversions to other states along the way to meet people and what ever took his fancy in this free and flexible road trip in a on the open road American dream style. To photography America and Americans in a more open and diverse style, showing a true reflection of American life at the time. 

‘What I have in mind, then, is the observation and record of what one naturalized American finds to see in the United States that signifies the kind of civilization born here and spreading elsewhere. - Robert frank

The sense of naturalization within the society of American, the shift form from a ‘wana be’ America to an I am what I am America... Not the so called American dream which was portrayed then and for years before. Such themes as the white picket fence, the house wife waiting for the husband with a chicken in every oven- set by president Franklin D Roosevelt the American dream perceived America as this big outstanding nation, perfect houses, fences, family and society se early in his administration in the 30’s to rebuild after the wall St. crash and WW1 however WW2 would come along between then and Franks work however, Frank would have lived through this and possibly he would feel America was being portrayed with this identity of the perfect nation, perfect families big smiles and life's etc as can been seen in this promotion poster from around the era leading towards this shift to the perfect identity and nation.

But with all the creation of suburbs, malls etc I feel Frank did not feel this was a true recollection of the America he knows and loves, wanting to re claim his nation Identity as not all individuals wanted this ‘American dream’ feel to the national identity, as not everyone could afford it, lots of poor and jobless families this was not an option for them.  Banks were said to be very picky about who they gave mortgages to. The government unlocked the American dream for millions of veterans, but it often locked out African Americans by subsidizing suburban developments that barred black people. Not exactly the open and reasonable dream anyone could have at this time. I feel Frank wanted to show America as it really was not this unreasonable society only looking to profit and look out for the wealthy, yes racial rights where not in effect at this time but at the same time, by the start of the modern civil rights movement, african Americans were well aware of their power as consumers. The first major protest staged in the 1950s was, indeed, a consumer protest this being a boycott - against the bus system in Montgomery, Alabama. But the point I'm making is that America was on a shift from the perfect nation as portrayed to everyone else to a shift to a new Identity of America, tackling issues of civil rights as such, people of America wanted change and a new identity as such. And I feel the work of Robert frank portrays this new open and i am what i am feel to America, proud of who they are and not what what their trying to be not the happy smiley nation they are seen to be all the time but a nation with more depth of character and identity, but also the clouding judgement of the America on the way out at the time is shown in some images. I feel you can see this theme and concept within some images, some focusing on the diversity of individualism and range of identities creating America as this diverse range of people and identities not the perceived identity which was put upon the nation... 

Parade — Hoboken, New Jersey

Political rally- 1956

Images from political rallies, Americas shot hiding their faces away from the camera, shows to me a sense of being unsure about the time, unsure of the implications, or possibly the fact of being hidden away in the real America of the time, not the happy smiling big brand new feel that was portrayed by the American dream and the new deal etc... I feel his work shows this concept not in a direct fashion but enough for it to be apparent on the scheme of things. Frank wanting to break free and show a more open and honest reflection of American society as you can see in the images above, it was a more normal and natural society, not the perfect one what was put upon the national identity by the government looking to rebuild after shocks such as the wall St crash WW1 and WW2 but not everyone wanted this fake in a way identity because it was not true throughout American society on the whole. I feel Frank felt this from growing up throughout this time. He wanted to show America for what it is and what he loved, wanting a more natural and true identity...