Our remarkable artist Xan Padron, whom you may know from his Time Lapse Project, will be showcasing his work in a truly unique location. He couldn’t think of a better place to display this project, which is about how much life happens in a single spot, than on the walls of a NYC subway station .
Bryan Park subway station showcasing the Time Lapse by Xan Padron
Michele Mariaud Gallery: Could you dream of a better place than the NYC Subway system ( MTA ) to showcase your “Time Lapse” project, and what does it represent for you to be in this place where thousands of people are crossing each other every day ?
Xan Padron. My Time Lapse project it is about how much life happens in a single spot, so you are right, I could not imagine a better place to share this project with the world. The NYC Subway system is an incredibly dynamic and iconic location and truly brings the project to life. The bustling energy, diverse crowds and constant motion makes it the perfect canvas for showcasing this project.
Time Lapse NoMad, New York
Michele Mariaud Gallery .Did you ever think of making a “Time Lapse” in the Subway?
Xan Padron. For a number of years, I had a project documenting the city through public transportation, and although it wasn’t in the format of a Time Lapse, I’ve spent many days just riding buses and subways and taking pictures. The idea of creating a "Time Lapse" project in the subway has definitely crossed my mind, since the subway system would be perfect for capturing the pulse of the city, but I haven’t found the right background wall, yet…
Time Lapse Hudson Square. NYC
Michele Mariaud Gallery . Has NYC been an inspiration and a starting point for this Project which lets us travel around the world?
Xan Padron. New York City has been for sure the inspiration (and the genesis) of this project! It started in 2011, while I was working on one of my previous projects, Motion City, which involved capturing images of people in motion from a public bus in New York City. When I wasn't riding the bus, when I was just waiting (or observing), I became fascinated by how much life unfolded in a single spot. And I started photographing everything that occurred in that specific location. As I pieced together the images in the studio using various formats, the concept of Time Lapse emerged, culminating in the first work of the series, "Time Lapse, 8th Avenue, NYC (2011)". The Time Lapse project was a natural evolution of ideas inspired by this great city that I call home, allowing it to travel across the world as it captures the essence of urban life and the universal stories found within a single spot.
Time Lapse. 8th Avenue, NYC
Michele Mariaud Gallery .In which cities you have never been and would love to work for your next “Time Lapse”?
Xan Padron .There are many cities and places I’d love to explore through the lens of this project. The process I follow to capture these pictures and put them together is quite fascinating for me, and it allows me to know these places from a unique perspective… I’d love to work in Tokyo, in Mexico, in Buenos Aires, in Santiago de Chile… the list is endless! Sometimes I do this project where I end up being for other reasons, and some other times I travel to places to just focus on this project.
Time Lapse. Soho, London
Michele Mariaud Gallery Until when is the MTA exhibition running?
Xan Padron About eight months…
make sure you stop by it during 2023!!!
Bryan Park subway station showcasing the Time Lapse by Xan Padron
The work by Xan Padron will be showcased at Art on Paper NYC
September 7-10, 2023
Booth F10