Max de Estaban was born in Barcelona, Spain. He holds an MA from Stanford University PhD from Ramon Llull University.
His Proposition One series consists of X-ray images of obsolete technology whose purpose relates to producing or communicating art. Its subjects are intended to be generic symbols of decay and death or forensic testimonies.
De Estaban is concerned about the consequences of today’s accelerated embrace of digital technology and formats in the art, and the political implications of technical and functional obsolescence—a conflict within our concept of progress.
Some vestiges of inner structures are easily identifiable while others have faded or disappeared, as in organic decomposition, he says. And while these tools were not long ago considered sophisticated and ‘state-of-the-art,’ today they carry the stigmas of fragility, archaism and trauma.
De Estaban has lived in Palo Alto, New York, Madrid and London, working on numerous commercial projects. Upon returning to Barcelona 2009 he began to focus again on the creative aspect of his photography practice, and has worked exclusively on personal projects ever since.