Max Steven Grossman

Banned Books

2022

Max Steven Grossman explores in his photography the concept of our modern reality — as well as the objects and places that are tangible and “real” right now but may no longer exist as soon as tomorrow. He is best known for his “Bookscapes” series, which sees large-scale composite images working to visualize the gradual loss of tangible paper books and photographs to a world of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the cloud computing and online archives of the digital age. 

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1971, Grossman initially studied engineering at the University of Philadelphia, graduating in 1994. Soon after graduation, he developed a passion for photography and attended New York University and the International Center of Photography, completing his MFA in 2000.

Grossman’s unique approach to his still-life and color photography consists of composing large-scale works based on a compilation of images. For instance, for his “Bookscapes” series, he creates “surface-only libraries” featuring photos of different bookshelves, which he reorganizes around a specific theme. Composite shelves are formed around subjects like fashion, sports, architecture, business, film, and rock and roll, such as his Rock BL4 and Rock BWH.

Grossman’s photographs have been exhibited around the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art in Cartagena, Beatriz Esguerra Art in Bogota, the Museum of Modern Art in Barranquilla, Art Wynwood in Miami and more. He has also shown his works at several international art fairs and foundations in Switzerland, Panama, Hong Kong and Spain.

Find original Max Steven Grossman photography on 1stDibs.