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. This ornate 24k pure gold necklace consists of highly-detailed and beautifully-intricate filigree (metalwork) hand design. Many cultures throughout the world value gold immensely, not only for beauty in the case of jewelry and dowries, but as a time-tested generational store of wealth and preservation of purchasing power. 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.