212: From coffee vendor to photographer
Maxwell Briceño
Can you PLEASE tell me the area code for Caracas, Venezuela?
The area code for Caracas, Venezuela is 212.
Our school educates, researches, promotes, and shares. "212" is a virtual space focused on photography based in Caracas, featuring the work of both local and non-local artists. This platform aims to bring together various photographic genres, age groups, techniques, and perspectives, all connected by a shared love for photography.
- How did you initially become interested in photography?
My interest in photography was sparked by my father's stories of taking photos with an instant camera in bars around Caracas. However, it wasn't until I started working as a street vendor that I began carrying a camera. I would capture moments I noticed while selling coffee along my walking routes.
- As a photographer, which of all your works has impacted you the most?
Rostros y Cicatrices is the name of the photographic essay that has had the greatest impact on me as a professional so far. It was exhibited at the National Art Gallery in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2023. The project aims to raise awareness about the human condition of women suffering from breast cancer, going beyond the illness itself. It seeks to challenge physical stereotypes and highlight the beauty of a body scarred by this illness, which is increasingly prevalent and significantly affects women's psyche and self-esteem. The goal is to prompt reflection on conventional aesthetics and beauty.
- What are the main challenges that street photographers face in Caracas or elsewhere in Venezuela?
The main challenge for many colleagues who are just starting out is overcoming the stereotypes about the city. Overcoming the fear of taking photos in a place known as one of the most dangerous is the first hurdle to overcome. Additionally, due to political activities and the misuse of social media, another current challenge is the unease people feel when being photographed.
- A photograph that changed your life?
Vivian Maier is a special figure to me. She has deeply influenced my approach to photography, especially street style. Her story and her way of observing the city and everyday moments have inspired me whenever I go out with my camera. her photographs make me reflect on what may have led her to capture that particular image.
What excites me most is her relationship with photography; It seems like she didn't care to see her images. It was as if the act of looking through the viewfinder and hearing the shutter click was enough for her, a kind of obsession with capturing the world around her without needing to share it. Her legacy reminds us of the power of art and beauty that can be found in everyday situations. 
vivian maier, asia. june 27, 1959
Portrait by Marcelo Volpe
MAXWELL BRICEÑO:
Documentary photographer and member of the Cacri Photos Collective. He has worked on short- and long-term documentary projects, collaborating with national media outlets such as 'Historias que Laten' and international outlets like 'Reuters.' In 2018, he represented Venezuela in the 'Young Views of Ibero-America' exhibition in Spain, selected by the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America (OIJ). In 2019, he participated in his first group exhibition 'Nuestro Oficio' in New York alongside Cacri Photos. In 2020, he showcased his work at the National Art Gallery in Caracas as the featured young artist of the month. In 2021, he participated in 'Caracas Fotogénicas,' organized by the Galería Móvil Social foundation, and won second place in the 'Ser Caraqueño' contest. In 2022, he was selected as a student of Semillero Migrante and won second place in the IOM’s 'Diáspora' contest with his project 'Quilombo,' focused on Haitian migration. In 2023, he participated in 'Callejera Criolla' at the Museum of Fine Arts, once again with Cacri Photos, and held his first solo exhibition 'Faces and Scars' at the National Art Gallery.
INSTAGRAM: @Maxwell.briceno
