Francine Fleischer

"This series The Water in Between was photographed in a subterranean swimming hole (cenote) that had been used by an ancient civilization for human sacrifice. Today, ironically, it is used by swimmers for recreational swim. The contradiction of purposes is a curious one. I’ve been returning to this spot to photograph and explore this irony and the ever-changing scenarios in this consistent pool.

The waters are deep below the earth’s surface and lit from above by a hole in the ground revealing sky and sunlight. When I look down on these beautiful swimmers in these inky waters, it is like looking down the rabbit hole into another world. Sometimes it is an allegorical scene illustrating subterranean dreams, capturing the counter play of light and dark, levity and gravity, reality and reverie, tribulations and joy.

Each time I return here, I am drawn in by these contradictions, the painterly light and the random choreography below, each time noting the social interaction between the ever-changing cast of characters. Water also being a metaphor for the collective space that we are all navigating, what better place than water to explore this fascinating evolution and willing vulnerability."