This series stems from prostitution ads published in the “personals” of several Mexico City tabloids, showing women and men –usually with their faces erased, covered or blotted out– and the caption “Real Photo” added as a reference to the veracity of the person offering the service.
The video documents one of the actions that took place on the main avenue of La Merced, one of the largest red-light districts in America. The prepared paper is placed on the sidewalk, where pedestrians step on and stain it until it is covered completely with dirt, thus revealing the image.
Circunvalación
Single-channel video
7’ 17’’
2011
Photography: Rafael Ortega
Edition: Alfonso Cornejo and Ilán Lieberman
AMBAR
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
47.2 x 36.2 inches
2011
GONZALO
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
47.2 x 69.8 inches
2011
BELLEZAS
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
33.4 x 47.2 inches
2011
ESCORTS
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
47.2 x 35.6 inches
2011
KAREN
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
48.2 x 47.2 inches
2012
AAA AAJORGE
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
47.2 x 59.8 inches
2012
VALERIA
Urban detritus and self adhesive vinyl on paper, mounted on styrene
47.2 x 60.4 inches
2012
The series developed different outlets, such as engraving, street stencils, painting or drawing. All followed the offset halftone pattern of the newspaper where they were first published; some in black and white and others in cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Portfolio printed by Francisco Cabrera under the supervision of Roberto Turnbull in Taller Tokio, Mexico City.