For a town that’s forging a path toward reconstruction and rebuilding a community that’s been through an economic downturn and business closings, and the resulting ripple effect on community services, education and morale, Mike Frank’s photography show at “Relax, It’s Just Coffee” is a timely exhibition for Mansfield—and many of the smaller cities that litter the country’s landscape.
Frank’s photographs reveal evidence of rebirth and possibility, there’s potential lessons we can learn from the city’s abandoned, deserted and old buildings.
Sometimes, seeing the possibilities in the unlikely requires unconventional ways.
“It stems from skateboarding,” former skateboarder Frank said. “Skateboard magazines and the kind of the areas of town where nobody is around, usually the rundown areas of town, is where I was in the early 90s. I was infatuated with old abandoned buildings at that point. I always looked at stuff like that, and it was something else other than blight. There was potential to me. Skateboarders always have a different way of looking at architecture. We look at how we can use our skateboard on it.”
It’s also possible to gain insight from stumbling upon it.
“I started playing with a camera one day,” Frank said. “One day, I started messing around, shooting photos, and I actually started learning to use it manually.”
Frank had some help along the way, too.
“I met a guy in an online group and started shooting photos with him,” Frank said. “He started teaching me some tricks…I knew some photographers that I skateboarded with and I used to try to get them to go to abandoned buildings to shoot and they were too afraid.”
With some help from fellow photographers, Frank turned a fascination with abandoned buildings and a unique eye for seeing the possibilities into a life-changing, fulfilling vocation that takes up a lot of his time since battling—and defeating—addiction.
The public is responding to his work, having been featured at the Mansfield Public Library, the Mansfield Art Center, Niabos Art, and several online galleries. Frank keeps it all in perspective.
“That may be something I learned in recovery,” Frank said. “It’s hard to put any expectations on [the show]. I always did this for myself. I don’t think when I shoot photos that I’m going to make money or sell them.”
His intention is more than that.
“I get off the beaten path and capture how I’m feeling so I can look at it later.”
While Frank is glad that the feelings his photographs capture speak directly to people, he maintains meekness.
“I was really grateful that somebody wanted to show my photos. I try not to make a big deal out of it and get my expectations or hopes up. It’s easier that way. I don’t get my feelings hurt. I try to be humble.”
Frank’s Urban and Rural Exploration showing at “Relax, It’s Just Coffee” runs through March 28.
