Masaccio's Dream
In the rhythmic pulse of New York City's subway, a singular polished-metal wall at the 34th Street station captured my imagination, reflecting the transient yet profound beauty of its myriad riders. This unlikely canvas birthed Masaccio’s Dream – a series of candid portraits, each meticulously recolored in post-production to uncover the deeper narrative woven into fleeting moments.
My creative journey is a harmonious blend of technical rigor and aesthetic exploration. Confronted with the challenges of lighting and composition unique to this site-specific locale, months of experimentation led to revelations in lens selection, camera settings, and manipulation of available light. It was within these moments of trial and frustration that I unearthed the deeper symbiosis between technical challenges and the rich narrative I was crafting – an unexpected allegory of our species' contemporary existence. The blurring, noise, scratches, and graffiti on the metal surface became visual metaphors for our fractured psyche, both individual and collective.
Delving deeper, I began to perceive more than just physical attributes. The clothing choices, subtle body language, the rhythm of movement, and the myriad of facial expressions unfolded before me. This observational shift was akin to peering through an extraterrestrial lens, observing humanity with a newfound curiosity. This perspective provoked profound questions about the nature of identity and autonomy: To what extent are our choices and individualities shaped by unseen societal forces? How do we navigate the complex interplay of personal freedom and collective uniformity in today's world?
Through Masaccio's Dream, the subway station transforms into a visual ethnography – a live archaeology capturing a microcosm of our evolving species. The series is more than a reflection; it's a contemplation of our era, one marked by an information deluge, challenging our perceptions of choice, reality, and identity. Each image stands as a mirror to our existence, capturing a species on the cusp of a profound awareness – an awareness of the true nature of choice, reality, and identity in a rapidly transforming world.
This series is an open invitation to join me in this introspective exploration. Masaccio's Dream offers a gateway to probe the intricate fabric of human existence, exploring the delicate balance of individuality and our emerging collective consciousness. It's a journey into the uncharted realms of our psyche, evolving under the constant influx of information and societal shifts.
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PRINT INFO
Print Size: 81 x 64.8 in - 205.7 x 164.6 cm
Medium: Photography
Media: Dye Sublimation Aluminum Print from Griffin Editions
Edition of 3
Email: marco@ma9.co
Tel: 347.772.9370 in New York City