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In a word:

A picture is a representation of something seen. It's an open invitation to interpretation and in the case of black and white is by default an abstraction. A picture hanged on a wall by a collector can also become an emblem. It talks about his/her vision and envision, and in turn acquires new meaning.

This cycle from representation to vision can carry on from one generation to another. A picture eventually may rightfully so gain "life of its own." The picture itself becomes a precious object for as long as it last, yet the image becomes part of the collective psyche. Which is where it came from originally.

The job of an artist is to materialize bits of the collective psyche. The task at hand is to be open, receptive and responsive to slight hints. By means of vision and through foucused work the artist manifest pieces that resonate among human beings. Worlds are reveled, the old gets new again, the exotic becomes common. But the universal becomes timeless.

Mario chooses to work in black and white because early on in his career he learned to visualize in such way. And even with today's digital technology his fine prints are not color but black and white. We would like think they are more engulfing. We could also say they are more elegant and eloquent but I'll leave that up to you, the viewer.

Sites we like:

Masters Of Photography: includes most of the top names in the field; Edward Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Alfred Stieglitz, Brassaï, André Kertész,

Aperture: founded by Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Barbara Morgan, and Minor White. This non-for-profit offers publications of such reknown artist as Sebastiào Salgado, Diane Arbus, Paul Strand, Sally Mann, Mary Ellen Mark, Graciela Iturbide, etc.

Zone Zero: established by Mexican photographer Pedro Meyer. Site includes a large collection of portfolios and articles (both in Spanish and English) from many photographers all over the world.

Photography Guide: lists exhibitions and events in New York, the US and abroad. Includes most Private Dealers, and Artist in the field with links to their sites.

Photo-Eye: perhaps the largest online bookstore specialized in photography. Also serves a double mission as a commercial gallery showcasing new and well established photographers.