Chronotopical Archaeologies of the Individual In-Situ

Candid photography portraits of individuals walking across the great hall of Grand Central Station in New York City over a two-week period in 2019.

As a Latin-American living and working in New York since my early teens, my personal histories have been and continue to be wrought by access, and how access is denied or given to locations, to power, to social agency, to identity, to knowledge, to economic class, and even to North-American culture. By documenting individuals passing through Grand Central Station, I am creating a site-specific visual ethnography with which I seek to evaluate agency along the aforementioned terms for this specific location.

The series was inspired by the Kore and Kouros, the free-standing archaic Greek sculpture of female and male figures. As I began to photograph the series, the sculptures kept flashing in my memory, and particularly, the idea that an artist 2500 years ago was transposing a representation of the female and male body onto the stone, and here I was thinking that 2500 years later my photographs were documenting a real woman and a real man with individual names and personal histories. If you suspend belief for a moment, set aside the time in between, and let the Kore and Kourus stand side by side with these portraits, this is what a human being looks like 2500 years later.

Each work in this series is a photograph that has been aleatorily disassembled, re-layered with selections from the same image, and re-colored in post-production. Both camera and lens were calibrated to invoke [art] painting mechanical processes. These efforts were unconscious at first and it dawned on me that I was borrowing visual language from the art [painting] canon. However, the deconstruction and fragmentation of each image are meant to be obvious so as to involve the lay viewer in the conceit that these are constructions despite being primary-source photography documents.

Labyrinths is also guided by metaphysical elements extrapolated from Jorge Luis Borges’ fiction and by a personal interpretation of a motif found in the [gold-based] anthrozoomorphic ritual-art of The Muisca, a pre-Columbian, South-American culture. What I believe Borges' fiction proposes is that human knowledge has a misplaced sense of certainty that makes it paper-thin, thus I consciously sought to render these works with very little depth-of-field structured along a minimalist aesthetic preoccupied with projecting a visually-tactile bi-dimensional space.

For those new to the world of art collecting, the term "editions" refers to the number of copies produced from a single original piece of artwork. Editions help ensure the exclusivity and value of each print. Understanding the difference between limited and rare editions is crucial for collectors.

In all of my fine art photography, I am committed to offering rare editions to ensure exclusivity and high value for collectors. Each artwork is produced in extremely limited quantities, with only 3 prints available for the larger size and 5 for the smaller size. Some series are even more exclusive, offered in only one size with an edition of 3

RARE EDITION
Definition: A rare edition is even more exclusive than a limited edition, implying extreme scarcity with very few prints available.

Typical Range: Rare editions typically include fewer than five prints and sometimes might even be a single print.

Value: Due to their extreme rarity, these prints are highly valuable and sought after by collectors.

Numbering: Similar to limited editions, rare editions are also numbered and usually signed by the artist.

LIMITED EDITION

Definition: A limited edition refers to a set number of prints produced from a single image. Once this number is reached, no more prints are made, ensuring scarcity.

Typical Range: The number can vary but is often between 5 to 50 prints. However, some editions can be larger. 

Value: The value of a limited edition print is usually higher than that of an open edition (where prints are made continuously) because the supply is restricted.

Numbering: Each print in a limited edition is usually numbered (e.g., 1/25, 2/25) and sometimes signed by the artist.

EXCLUSIVITY

Each series is composed of a maximum of 18 to 27 artworks. No other artworks from this series will ever be offered for sale. Once an edition for an artwork is sold out, no more prints will ever be available. Once all editions for all artworks in my series are sold out, the entire series will be sold out. This ensures the exclusivity and enduring value of each piece and each series as a whole.

In summary, while both limited and rare editions indicate a finite number of prints, rare editions are more exclusive and scarce, generally making them more valuable. This distinction is important for collectors and galleries as it directly influences the market value and desirability of the prints.

Framing, as displayed under each artwork, includes wood with acid-free mat and archival materials, along with clear acrylic featuring superior UV protection. Your framed artwork ships with installation hardware, and it arrives ready to hang. Unframed prints will be shipped in a tube. Additional framing options are available at an extra cost - please email me at marco@ma9.co for more information.

Enjoy free shipping on all orders placed within the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska.

International Shipping: International shipping is available at an additional cost. For more information, please email me at marco@ma9.co.

Processing & Shipping Time: All orders take approximately 10 to 15 business days to print, mount, frame, and prepare for shipping. Once shipped, delivery via UPS Ground typically takes an additional 3 to 7 business days. The total time from order to delivery is approximately 13 to 22 business days.

Tracking Information: You will receive tracking information once your order is shipped.

Custom Orders

• Personalized Creations: Each product is custom-made just for you, making it unique and special. As a result, all orders are final. We do not accept returns, nor offer refunds, exchanges, or credit.

• Our Promise: We use the finest archival materials and hand-assemble each frame to ensure top quality. Every print is color-matched to the artist's original file and fully authenticated.
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• Resolution Process: We will review your photos and decide on a case-by-case basis whether to repair or replace the damaged item. This process may take up to 30 business days. While we aim to resolve issues within this timeframe, it may extend beyond it. Replacements are subject to our current manufacturing and shipping schedules. Note that you may be responsible for return shipping costs.

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International Orders

• Placing Orders: Orders outside the continental U.S. and Canada will not be accepted through our website. International clients must place orders privately by contacting us via email. The buyer is responsible for shipping, duties, and any other costs associated with international shipping.

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Dispute Resolution

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For any questions or assistance, including reporting damages or issues, please reach out to us at marco@ma9.co. We are here to help and ensure you have a wonderful experience with our fine art photography.