Los Cartoneros y Modelos

These photos are part of an on-going series about Cartoneros - the men, woman and children who religiously hit the streets of Buenos Aires to sort, collect recycle and then sell anything they find of value in our trash. It lies somewhere between fashion and documentary - street theatre - addressing the contrast of their lives against ours, a mixing of elements and emotions and themes, like scenes from movies that don't exist, commenting on the absurdity of life as we know it at times.

Untitled - Ziggy Stardust Inspired

Model - Arnaud Saloman

Thanks to many people who helped me with this project thus far in its various stages of ideas, especially friends who posed as 'models'. Special thanks to Tommy Abad for his patience and guidence with the lighting. Mostly, thanks to the friendly and wildly curious cartoneros who welcomed us wholeheartedly and enjoyed working on the project, calling it 'art'. This project is dedicated to them.

These photos are currently on display in San Telmo, Buenos Aires at Cafe Pride - corner of Pasaje Guiffre @ Balcarce (on the corner from my crib) for the next two months.