This photograph belongs to the series, "Absolute Powers / ex nihilo." These photographs dive deeper into the taboo and controversial topic of money by showcasing an array of intriguing real-world historic and contemporary objects (some worthless, others immensely valuable), while examining how societies perceive, express, and destroy value. A solid 100oz 99.99% silver bar, a common format and denomination of this precious metal. Like a doctor handling a newborn, this bar of silver exchanges hands and is prized for its store of value, strength, superior conductivity, and anti-bacterial/purification properties. (Definitely a useful characteristic during pandemic times.) These bars are maintained by collectors and investors as long-term stores of wealth. Christos is a 1st-gen Greek-American fine-artist whose photographs probe themes of socioeconomics, culture, history, and architecture. As strong symbolic sparks in a frenetic 21st-century tangle, his creative intrigue is informed by identity, connection, nostalgia, and isolation.