Gus Kayafas 1975

This baseball card of Gus Kayafas was made by Mike Mandel, though the date is unknown. It's funny how a simple photograph can become something more when you start thinking about process. I'm drawn to the way the gray tones create a sense of depth, especially in the textures of his flannel shirt. The way the shadow falls across his face adds a layer of mystery. There's something very casual about the composition, but it also feels deliberate, like he’s ready to take a swing! This makes me think of artists like John Baldessari who use photography in a similar deadpan style to explore the idea of identity, performance, and the way we construct meaning from images. Ultimately, art is all about how we see and interpret the world around us, and this card captures that beautifully.