Ellipsis
Ellipsis
A woman is absorbed in her cell phone at the foot of a stairwell in Grand Central Station, New York City.
Every epoch introduces a technological tool that transforms our personal and social paradigms, erasing pieces of ourselves under the sheen of progress. These tools, disguised as improvements, often serve as mechanisms of mass power, advancing while simultaneously displacing aspects of our humanity.
What surprises me most is how the artist in my mind projects my unconscious thoughts onto something, or someone, entirely outside myself. This leads to countless questions about the realities constructed by the brain. From neuroscience to philosophy, and even the lingering echoes of theology, none can fully disqualify the metaphysical or supernatural. But I digress.
Here, I see a woman trapped by a device that gleams as brightly as a tiny star in the photograph, so entranced by it that her body pauses in a place that defies sense. It's as if she has unknowingly reached a dead-end in a labyrinth, unaware of her entrapment. The fool’s gold hue of the handrail suggests promises that are empty, mere illusions. She stands so close to an entry—or perhaps an exit—but her body language speaks of someone unaware of any such threshold. Nothing around her points to a way out. I must have been using a telephoto lens, mesmerized by her state, and in that moment, I quickly adjusted the lens while the slow shutter captured two different focal lengths, blurring reality in between. It reminds me of electrons spinning around the nucleus—if we could glimpse them visually, this might be what they’d look like.
In my mind’s sketch, this woman becomes more than a person. She transforms into a genderless, faceless representation of all of us. The stairwell railing, her cell phone, the ghostly figures above—they all iterate endlessly, much like the way cell phones today iterate desires and behaviors into our consciousness. We may no longer know where our bodies stop in relation to the architecture we move through. Power, in this photograph, is reshaping the very architecture of human consciousness—transforming us into commodities without our awareness.
From emotion to behavior, from the innermost workings of the psyche to the external world, we are witnessing the fabrication of the human mind in ways we are only beginning to grasp. Technology, in its current form, is steering us through a maze, guiding us like oxen to places we do not consciously choose. The question arises: how much of our individuality has been overwritten, grafted into this system that is constantly reshaping us? Can you see it, dear viewer? Can you see yourself reflected here, standing where you're told to stand, guided by unseen forces?
Would you let a stranger enter your home and body, sift through your thoughts, your things, your life, and direct your actions without your permission? Yet, every day, your cell phone does exactly that—guiding you to stories, reinforcing stereotypes, shaping your emotions, and curating your experiences, and harvesting your brain without your awareness, knowledge, or consent. This woman in the photograph is you, dear viewer.
“That straight line you walk is the arc of an infinite circle.” Borges wrote something similar in Abenjacan el Bojarí. What we create always loops back to enslave us when birthed under the edicts of a system of production.
Forgive me, dear viewer, if I come across as insufferably philosophical. These are thoughts that flow through my mind the way water slips down my parched soul when it thirsts.
“That straight line you walk is the ellipsis on an infinite circle,” my quarter-penny adaptation of a line attributed to Jorge Luis Borges.
Click on the PASSENGER tab below to explore the artist statement and insights behind the series.
PRINT INFO
Title: A Woman Comes Home
Series Title: Passenger
Year: 2019
Medium: Photography
Media: Archival Pigment Print
CONTACT
If you have any questions about the Passenger series, feel free to reach out!
Email: marco@ma9.co
Tel: +1 347-772-9370 | New York City
Passenger
Candid photography portraits of individuals traversing the grand hall of Grand Central Station, New York City.
What began as a purely aesthetic exploration—an attempt to capture how the natural light within the station softens and transforms faces and bodies—evolved into a broader inquiry into socioeconomic class, culture, and power. My focus on light became a way of invoking the ether-like, ephemeral quality of impressionism, which I extended through post-production recoloring techniques, aiming to give these fleeting moments an almost painterly presence.
Yet these images are also primary source documents of the dynamics that define access to public spaces. As a Latin American immigrant, I have experienced firsthand how identity—where you come from, how you look—dictates your ability to navigate these spaces, shaping your access to power, knowledge, and survival. This series not only records who moves through this iconic station on any given day, but also underscores who is absent—those excluded due to race, class, or circumstance.
Influenced by the sculptures and paintings of ancient Maya, Greek, and Egyptian cultures, my work aims to document this era’s individuals in ways that capture their physical presence and hint at the inner lives they carry with them. As a visual ethnographer, I strive to create site-specific portraits that, like ancient artworks, will one day inform future generations of who we were in this historical moment.
To counteract the inherent subjectivity in documentary work, I employed randomized protocols inspired by Merce Cunningham’s chance methods and archaeological excavation techniques. These processes allowed for a more impartial selection of subjects, reflecting the real diversity and lived experiences of those who occupy this public space.
Framing
Our framing includes wood with an acid-free mat, archival materials, and clear acrylic with superior UV protection.
We offer framing for prints up to 32 x 40 inches. Each framed artwork includes installation hardware and arrives ready to hang.
For additional or custom framing options on any size, please reach out to us at marco@ma9.co for details.
Visual Rendering On Your Screen
The Sofa Display images and Frame Option previews are digital renderings that provide an approximate visual representation of the artwork and framing. Screen sizes, resolutions, and color settings may vary across devices, affecting the accuracy of scale and color reproduction on your screen. Please refer to the table below for exact print and framing measurements.
Free Shipping
Enjoy free shipping on all orders placed within the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska.
Free shipping is available for framed prints up to 32 x 40 inches. Your framed artwork includes installation hardware and arrives ready to hang.
Free shipping also applies to the PRINT ONLY option on any size, with your artwork shipped securely in a protective tube.
Custom framing is available for any size upon request—please contact me directly for details.
International Shipping
We’re happy to offer international shipping. For details and a personalized quote, please reach out to us at marco@ma9.co. We’d be glad to assist you.
Processing & Shipping Time
For framed orders, please allow 10 to 15 business days for printing, mounting, framing, and preparing your artwork for shipping. After that, UPS or FedEx Ground delivery adds 3 to 7 business days. The total estimated delivery time for framed orders is 13 to 22 business days.
For the PRINT ONLY option, orders ship within 3 to 5 business days. Once shipped, delivery via UPS or FedEx Ground takes an additional 3 to 7 business days. Your estimated delivery time is 7 to 12 business days from order to arrival.
Please Note: Delivery times may be affected during the holiday season. We recommend placing your order early to ensure timely arrival.
Tracking Information
You will receive tracking information once your order is shipped.
Editions
Edition Note
The largest print in a series is offered in a rare edition of 3, plus 1 Artist’s Proof (AP), held in the artist’s archive for legacy purposes and not available for sale.
Certification
Each piece is signed, editioned, titled, and dated on the verso. A certificate of authenticity is included.
Pricing
As editions sell out, prices may increase to reflect their growing rarity, demand, and value.
About Editions
In art collecting, "editions" refer to a limited number of prints produced from a single original artwork. Understanding the distinction between rare and limited editions is crucial for collectors, as it directly impacts the value and rarity of each print.
Rare Editions
Rare editions are the most exclusive, with very few prints available.
Typical Range: In my work, rare editions consist of 3 prints, plus 1 Artist's Proof held in reserved for legacy purposes.
Value: Due to their extreme rarity, these prints are highly sought after and hold significant value for collectors.
Numbering: Each rare edition print is individually numbered and signed by the artist.
Limited Editions
Limited editions refer to a fixed number of prints produced from a single image.
Typical Range: Limited editions in my work range from 9 prints for smaller sizes to a rare edition of 3 for larger sizes.
Value: While more accessible than rare editions, limited editions still offer exclusivity.
Numbering: Each limited edition print is numbered and signed by the artist.
Exclusivity
Once an edition is sold out, no additional prints will be produced, ensuring the lasting value and exclusivity of each artwork.
Return Policy
Custom Orders
Each product is custom-made specifically for you, making it unique and special. Therefore, all orders are final. We do not accept returns, nor offer refunds, exchanges, or credits for custom creations.
Quality Assurance
We use the finest archival materials, and each frame is hand-assembled to ensure exceptional quality. Every print is color-matched to the artist’s original file and fully authenticated.
Damaged or Incorrect Orders: If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 48 hours with photos of the shipping box, the damage, and your order number. We will work with you to resolve the issue, although returns, refunds, exchanges, or credits are not offered.
Handling Damages
While we stand by the quality and craftsmanship of our products, rare instances of transit damage can occur.
Reporting Issues: If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of receiving it. Include clear photos of the damage and packaging.
Resolution Process: We will assess the damage on a case-by-case basis to determine whether repair or replacement is necessary, a process which may take up to 30 business days. Replacements depend on current production and shipping schedules, and you may be responsible for return shipping costs.
Defective Products
If you believe your product is defective (distinct from transit damage), contact us within 48 hours with photos and a description of the defect. We will review and decide whether to repair, replace, or refund the item.
Third-Party Receivers
If artwork is sent to a third-party receiver, such as a warehouse, installer, or framer, please ensure inspection upon arrival. Any damage must be documented immediately with clear photos of both the damage and packaging, as ownership transfers to you once it is checked in.
International Orders
For orders outside the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, please place your order directly by contacting us via email, as we do not process international orders through the website. Buyers are responsible for all shipping, duties, and associated international costs.
Limitation of Liability
Our liability is limited to the purchase price of the product, and we are not responsible for incidental or consequential damages.
Dispute Resolution
Disputes arising from this policy will be resolved according to our Terms of Use.
Posting Policy
Our return policy is clearly posted on our website and at the point of sale to ensure compliance with state-specific laws requiring prominent posting of return policies.
For 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.
Return Policy
Each product is custom-made specifically for you, making it unique and special. Therefore, all orders are final. We do not accept returns, nor offer refunds, exchanges, or credits for custom creations.
Quality Assurance
We use the finest archival materials, and each frame is hand-assembled to ensure exceptional quality. Every print is color-matched to the artist’s original file and fully authenticated.
Damaged or Incorrect Orders: If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 48 hours with photos of the shipping box, the damage, and your order number. We will work with you to resolve the issue, although returns, refunds, exchanges, or credits are not offered.
Handling Damages
While we stand by the quality and craftsmanship of our products, rare instances of transit damage can occur.
Reporting Issues: If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of receiving it. Include clear photos of the damage and packaging.
Resolution Process: We will assess the damage on a case-by-case basis to determine whether repair or replacement is necessary, a process which may take up to 30 business days. Replacements depend on current production and shipping schedules, and you may be responsible for return shipping costs.
Defective Products
If you believe your product is defective (distinct from transit damage), contact us within 48 hours with photos and a description of the defect. We will review and decide whether to repair, replace, or refund the item.
Third-Party Receivers
If artwork is sent to a third-party receiver, such as a warehouse, installer, or framer, please ensure inspection upon arrival. Any damage must be documented immediately with clear photos of both the damage and packaging, as ownership transfers to you once it is checked in.
International Orders
For orders outside the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, please place your order directly by contacting us via email, as we do not process international orders through the website. Buyers are responsible for all shipping, duties, and associated international costs.
Limitation of Liability
Our liability is limited to the purchase price of the product, and we are not responsible for incidental or consequential damages.
Dispute Resolution
Disputes arising from this policy will be resolved according to our Terms of Use.
Posting Policy
Our return policy is clearly posted on our website and at the point of sale to ensure compliance with state-specific laws requiring prominent posting of return policies.
For 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.