Vanishing Finish
LigoranoReese
Vanishing Finish
2024
Cyanotype on Sekishu
Vanishing Finish consists of 49 cyanotype prints depicting endangered keystone species, sourced from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “Red List” and the U.S. Endangered Species List, among other resources. The images, primarily drawn from the Smithsonian Institution’s Biodiversity Heritage Library, are presented in the cyanotype medium—a choice that reflects the fragility of both the species depicted and the environment itself. As these works are intentionally displayed in direct sunlight in the lobby, they will likely fade over the course of the exhibition. However, the cyanotype process is reversible with appropriate care by temporarily placing the prints in the dark, symbolizing the potential for restoration and the ongoing cycles of creation and regeneration.