Michael Mapes: Breaking down photography one image at a time.

Dissecting Photographic Specimens With Michael Mapes

Posted Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at 9:30 AM ET

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Specimen No. 6. 2006. 22"w x 22"h x 3"d

Michael Mapes.

New York artist Michael Mapes creates elaborate specimen boxes by dissecting photographs and then compartmentalizing individual fragments within plastic bags, glass vials, magnifiers, in gelatin capsules, and on insect pins. The boxes exist in an uncanny area between photography and sculpture, functioning both as portraits and as fascinating scientific canvases that make you question the logic behind the organization of each piece. See more of Mapes’ work over at Parlor Gallery, and if you liked this, also check out the work of David Adey.