Barbòn
Barbòn
Pepejillo
Pepejillo
Barbòn
Barbòn
Leon
Leon
Arzola
Arzola
Ernesto
Ernesto
César
César
Lalo
Lalo
Giro
Giro
Gloria
Gloria
Hector
Hector
Gustavo
Gustavo
Rodolfo
Rodolfo
La Kizz
La Kizz
Leon
Leon
Martin
Martin
Miguel
Miguel
Luis
Luis
Barbòn
BarbònFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print Alexa Hoyer’s portraits of monstrous claws armed with strange, alien appendages make a mysterious and compelling first impression. They seem to have come from a faraway, mythical or imaginary land.Cockfighting is a controversial bloodsport where two roosters are forced to fight until one dies or is injured. The roosters are bred for battle and, in certain regions, sport metal knives on their spurs called gaffs or cockspurs. Practitioners defend the sport as sacred artform and ancient tradition that dates back thousands of years. For others, it’s an act of animal cruelty, where roosters are tortured for human entertainment.Gaffs come in different shapes and designs. Some are shorter or longer. Some feature straps, training guards, or sheaths. Despite their deadly function, they can often appear quite beautiful. In order to research and document these appendages, Alexa Hoyer visited galleros, or cockfighting farmers, in Mexico.By stripping the roosters of their body and context, Hoyer’s photographs captivate with an enigmatic beauty that initially feels made-up or unreal. A closer look reveals a dangerous weapon laden with impending violence. It is this epiphany and tension that Hoyer is interested in exploring. By presenting a cold, detached and highly aestheticized representation of a weapon, she highlights the seductive allure that often conceals a brutal reality.
Pepejillo
PepejilloFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Barbòn
BarbònFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Leon
LeonFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Arzola
ArzolaFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Ernesto
ErnestoFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
César
CésarFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Lalo
LaloFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Giro
GiroFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Gloria
GloriaFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Hector
HectorFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Gustavo
GustavoFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Rodolfo
RodolfoFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
La Kizz
La KizzFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Leon
LeonFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Martin
MartinFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Miguel
MiguelFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
Luis
LuisFrom the Series “Patas de Gallo’2019 - 202010 × 15 inchesArchival Pigmented Print
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