Reflections Collection Catalog by Cuco de Frutos

NEW YORK I MADRID Patricia Tanner sales & operations +1 (917) 342-1214 [email protected] F I N EwwA wR.cTucPodHefOruTtoOsG.cRomA P H Y Reflections

Through his images, Cuco de Frutos transforms everyday landscapes into layered, multifaceted stories that change with the observer’s own perspective. Capturing moments in time and light and shape, he challenges the way we look at the world around us, revealing a depth and complexity that can only be seen from new angles.

Biography For more than a decade, spanish photographer, Cuco de Frutos, has captured his unique perception and vision of the landscapes and people he has encountered throughout his extensive travels of the world. He’s most widely known for his marked style of capturing light and multifaceted views through his unconventional use of reflective matter. “I have been passionate about photos since I was very young. I printed my first photo in 1991 of a sunrise on a beach in my hometown. As I started traveling, I realized that the camera allowed me to capture corners of the world through my own vision in the photographs.” Cuco de Frutos Photography has been featured in two solo exhibitions in Madrid, “The Good Look of the Bad Boy” and “NYContrasts”.



Summary Fallen Butterflies Paths to the Top 40” x 60” 48” x 72” Gotham from the Deep After the Storm 40” x 60” 48” x 72” Como una roca Taxi 55” x 37” 60” x 40” Lights of the Rain Tunnel of Steps 72” x 48” 60” x 40” Almost Crystals Glass Bridge 40” x 60” 72” x 48”

FALLEN BUTTERFLIES New York, 2018 One of the most beautiful and mysterious parks in the city, not in its precious green but a different perspective in quasi black and white. The dark reflection of the sloping lamp post contrasted by the vibrant fallen leaves highlight the artists vision of fallen butterflies. Uno de los parques más hermosos y misteriosos de la ciudad, pero no en su preciado y frondoso verde, si no con una diferente visión en un quasi blanco y negro. El simple aspecto claro y brillante de la pieza convierte la caída de las hojas en doradas mariposas. 40” x 60” - 101.6 cm x 152.4 Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



GOTHAM FROM THE DEEP New York, 2018 Lexington Avenue. A street long associated with the glamour and affluence of New York. The artist’s gritty image offers us a different perspective. One that reflects upon reality vs. fantasy and a shared human struggle. “like everything in life, you have to cross many layers of dirt, shit ... breaking through the debris to reach the top. You have to cross the iron gates, the dirty roads; The beginnings are so difficult , but at the end of the tunnel, you always see the light.” Punto de vista diferente de la quinta avenida. No está de moda, ni es hermosa ni tan glamurosa como parace… hay que verla desde sus entrañas, intuyendo lo que oculta, como la misma vida, como un iceberg. Hay que cruzar muchas capas de suciedad y abrirse paso entre los desechos para llegar a lo más alto. Debemos cruzar las barreras de hierro y los sucios caminos. Todos los comienzos son difíciles, pero al final del túnel, siempre verás la luz. 40” x 60” - 101.6 cm x 152.4 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



COMO UNA ROCA New York, 2011 The imposing, angular city, reflected upon the hood of the car, tie together ideals of strength, power and masculinity. The title of this piece, borrowed from the popular Chevrolet slogan “Like a Rock”, is used as a metaphor for the island of Manhattan, the steel buildings erected upon it, and the idea of “Man”, alone in his suit of armor. El robusto coche, como una piedra, un bloque compacto y rudo que refleja la fuerza, el orgullo y el poder de la de la marca automovilista, buque insignia de los Estados Unidos, “Chevrolet”; cuyo eslogan para promocionar el modelo “Monte Carlo” de los años 70, era “like a rock”. Metáfora también empleada para definir la isla de Manhattan, asentada en una roca que queda reflejada en el capó. Icono de masculinidad, orgullo y patriotismo neoyorkino. 55” x 37” - 139.7 cm x 93,9 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



LIGHTS OF THE RAIN Paris, 2013 Once the tallest building in the world, the Eiffel Tower is the iconic symbol of Paris, The City of Lights. The reflection of this tower through the accumulation of raindrops beneath it illuminates the grandeur of it’s structure with the people of this splendid city. La torre Eiffel, 300 metros ingenio en la ciudad de la luz y el amor. El edificio más alto del mundo hasta que en 1930, nuestro querido “Chrysler” le arrebató el título. La ciudad de las luces, sí. La ciudad de la luz, eso es más complicado; es un reflejo, puesto que París cuenta con más días de lluvia que Londres, (pero no se lo digan a nadie, es un secreto). Como la propia fotografía indica, es su reflejo, París vive sobre un continuo charco donde se refleja todo su esplendor, sus obras, sus gentes… 72” x 48” - 182.8 cm x 121.9 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $7,500



PATHS TO THE TOP New York, 2018 Closely examined, you can see this image, vibrant and geometric, is a reflection captured from a street puddle. The lines, colors and complexity bring the street to life. The artist compares the intersecting traffic lines to the varied paths in life. While every individual must choose their own unique path, humanity is united in a shared desire to achieve a goal. El propósito está claro: llegar a la meta, conseguir el objetivo, subir a la cima, “the gold”... Y hay tantos caminos como personas; sólo tienes que elegir el tuyo: el más rápido? el más agradable? El más peligroso? El más seguro..? “All roads lead to Rome”, S.IV DC. Todos los senderos conducen a tu meta, sólo tienes que querer llegar y evitar las distracciones del camino, tan apetecibles como peligrosas. 48” x 72” - 121.9 cm x 182.8 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $7,500



AFTER THE STORM New York, 2018 A rare moment of stillness captured after an intense August rain. Personifying the Flatiron building as a figure studying his own reflection, the artist captures a private moment of someone calm and reposed in their own admiration. Free from city noise, the figure is mesmerized by the silence in his own beauty. Ciudad de Nueva York, una mañana de domingo tras una tormenta de verano… Después de una intensa lluvia de agosto, la ciudad de Nueva York se despierta con su eje central de Broadway con la 5ª, visto desde Madison Square park con un Flatiron de resaca, tranquilo y reposado, contemplando su estilizada figura en el espejo. Aprovecha que no hay nadie por las calles para ponerse guapo, como buen presumido que es. 48” x 72” - 121.9 cm x 182.8 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $7,500



ALMOST CRYSTALS New York, 2018 An ephemeral reality in the process of dissolution, similar to that of seeing another dimension through a fan shaped door. The leaves that block the view to this “dimension” brings to mind the expression that you can’t see the forrest for the trees aka by focusing on the small details, you miss the big picture. Vista de una realidad oculta que se abre ante nosotros en forma de abanico desde “Union Square”. Una realidad efímera en proceso de descomposición que se desvanece poco a poco. Entra en ella ahora que ves la luz en el horizonte antes de que las hojas no te dejen ver el bosque. 40” x 60” - 101.6 cm x 152.4 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



TAXI New York, 2012 The yellow cab is one of New York’s most recognizable icons, timeless in its ability to serve both function and form. People are transported to destinations, simultaneously painting the outside landscape of the city. The Taxi is both the sight and the see-er, the observer and observed. No hay icono más reconocido en NYC que sus “yellow cabs”, desde siempre, el medio de transporte más utilizado por todos los turistas para moverse por la ciudad. Puede ver toda la ciudad a través de un taxi, o, si uno se relaja y se abstrae del ruido de la cuidad, desde fuera de él. Disfruta la ciudad con otro ojo, con un ojo de pez, desde fuera. Contempla de la gran manzana desde otro punto de vista. 60” x 40” - 152.4 cm x 101.6 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



TUNNEL OF STEPS Oslo, 2015 Tunnel of Steps is perhaps one of the artist’s best examples of perspective both structurally and conceptually. The artist challenges the way we look at things and how we define the scenes around us. A tunnel is revealed as a staircase, an easy passage becomes a steep climb. “Life is not easy, success is not reached by shortcuts, what looks like an empty highway is a steep staircase full of obstacles that are difficult to overcome.” Un túnel es una obra subterránea de carácter lineal y artificial que facilita la comunicación de dos puntos, un camino rápido, una vía de escape, pero cuidado, las cosas no son lo que parecen. La vida no es fácil, al éxito no se llega por los atajos, lo que parece una autopista vacía es una escarpada escalera llena de obstáculos difíciles de superar. El túnel al éxito tiene escalones y son resbaladizos. Los pasos dentro de un túnel son contradictorios. Muchos niveles por los que pasar para llegar a la cima. 60” x 40” - 152.4 cm x 101.6 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $6,000



GLASS BRIDGE New York, 2018 Uniform and precisely symmetrical, alone this building would not be interesting. The beauty is derived from the reflection of its surroundings. In this image, the artist contemplates the cyclical nature of beauty and shape. To create something new often means taking from what already exists, using the past to create the future. Lo nuevo y lo viejo, el círculo de la moda: una tendencia se pone moda, eso que era “cool”, pasa de moda, se vuelve vintage, lo vintage se convierte en tendencia y esta tendencia vuelve a estar de moda… DUMBO, lo “cool” de Brooklyn, un reflejo del viejo NY dentro de una ventana que se abre para definir al nuevo Manhattan; los clásicos nunca pasan de moda. 72” x 48” - 182.8 cm x 121.9 cm Lightjet color photography on Fujiflex Crystal Archive glossy, mounted under UV acrylic glass. Signed, Limited Edition of 17 $7,500