Initiated in 2017, Bay of Mars correlates with the spatial and ecological reclamation of a 16th century rural complex, a now extinct location in the Gulf of Naples. An experimental landscape in its origins, the name stems from this plain. Marking a broad field of collaborations, Bay of Mars connects the studio practice of Stefano de Martino and Karen Lohrmann with Urban States for research, Correspondents for all printed matter, and XRX for production and outfitting.
XRX [/’zɪərɒks] is a production line inspired by the dry copying technique Xeroxgraphy, better known as Xerox. After decades of copying we know every version is different, strangely off, unique if needed, or just other, separate, variant. In its productions XRX embraces references, similarities, never copies, but simple relations. The edition Correspondents is on permanent display at Salon für Kunstbuch and Belvedere 21 in Vienna, and can be found internationally in select bookstores and institutions. Reflecting on the plurality of the city, Urban States runs topical sequences to address actualities, temporary conditions, contingencies.