BELINDA FUENTES REVIEWS MARCUS DESIENO

            Marcus DeSieno works mainly in the darkroom with alternative processes seen in his series Parasites in which he uses a dry plate method. DeSieno points out that with these processes, it differs each time and individual characteristics appear such as his fingerprints. Using science, DeSieno also combines this interest with the invisible to create works that challenge his fears (being a germaphob). In this specific series, DeSieno obtained contacts with laboratories, to shoot a variety of parasites. Although they appear large, the image is actually a micro shoot of these specimens. Fusing new imaging systems and old photographic processes, DeSieno uses the Scanning Electron Microscope to create the notion these specimens are larger than they before exposing it on a dry plate. Further, he exposes on a dry plate to avoid the coldness of a microscope image. The combination of the parasites as subjects and the photographic process of a dry plate are fitting in that the background of the images have a filmy substance from the chemicals that act as the “juice” from which the specimens could derive from. The way in which DeSieno positions these specimens gives them a sense of character and gives them life, although they are not and still forms. Overall, DeSieno uses science including alternative processes and microscopes to create his series.