Searching for meaning amid the rise of artificial intelligence and the forefront of war, we ask the artist: What is Human Value?

If Human Value were a stock in the market, it would most likely be in decline. As war and artificial intelligence rise, the value of a human comes into question. OMBRUJA, an artist best known for digital collections exploring well-being, spirituality, and the archetype of the "Bruja," is represented by her founder, Carolina Coto. Three representations of Human Value, captured in photography by Cory Vanderploeg in New York City, form this collection. "Window to the Soul" will feature the cover of the third issue of Abstract State Magazine. This body of work is presented as a 1/1 collection, serving as a campaign to raise awareness of this critical subject. It aims to awaken consciousness about what matters most through the perspective of the one behind the camera: the subject.

The collection, curated by OMBRUJA, features guest artists, photographers: Cory Vanderploeg as well as Claudia Rosel and Jake Borden from Columbia University.

• Carolina Coto is a model, actor, curator, artist, and Brand Ambassador of Costa Rica who founded OMBRUJA to reconnect the disconnected. Growing up in a country without an army since 1948, she believes that human value transcends numbers and is found through the spirit.

• Cory Vanderploeg:  is a prominent Director of Photography and Chief Editor, known for his work with major clients like Vogue, Nike, TIME, and Human Rights Watch. His expertise in combining motion and interactive design has earned him recognition across North America, with his work featured at major film festivals such as TIFF and Hot Docs. For over a decade, Cory has been a key figure at Studio Platon, where he served as head of photography and worked closely with renowned photographer Platon. He was the DP and chief editor for the award-winning film *My Body Is Not A Weapon*, which helped Dr. Denis Mukwege win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. Cory has also worked on a major Nike campaign with Colin Kaepernick and is currently editing a documentary on poverty in America.
  
  
• Claudia Rosel is a Spanish multidisciplinary storyteller focusing on migration, climate issues, and human rights. As Head of Communications for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), she produced documentaries, articles, and photo essays on drought, conflict, and gender issues in East Africa. Her work has been featured in major outlets like Reuters, PBS, and The New York Times. A La Caixa fellow and M.S. candidate in Documentary at Columbia Journalism School, Claudia has traveled to over 35 countries, contributing to global reporting while nurturing her passion for photography and creative collaborations.

• Jake Borden (b. 1993) is an American photographer and National Geographic Explorer. Raised on a farm in upstate New York, he apprenticed with renowned photographer John Stanmeyer and contributed to various National Geographic projects. His series "In Ruins," which documents IDPs in Georgia, won the 2017 Tbilisi Photo Festival and was featured by the BBC and Vice News. Jake has also photographed Syrian refugees in Lebanon and participated in the "Arts, Border Politics" exhibition along the Korean DMZ. He is currently completing a degree in Anthropology and Art History at Columbia University and is represented by Ki Smith Gallery in New York.

The collection includes"Exhibit Only" works that share stories of global conflict, as well as "Auction" pieces that highlight empowering human narratives from around the world.

Window to the Soul 

"Window to the Soul": Human value begins in the eyes, as they are the window to the soul. Looking into someone’s eyes completes the self. There is no self without the other.

Patron: Mr.Spacey

Faith

Faith: beyond religion or spirituality, having faith in something greater than ourselves—a force or belief that transcends the individual and connects us to a broader purpose.

Reserved. 

Madonna.

a reinterpretation of the classic image of the Madonna, representing the mother and initiator, embodying hope and serving as the patroness of the arts. She symbolizes not just the nurturing force of creation, but also the timeless protector of artistic expression.

 Auction.

Special Guests 

"El Maestro" in Oaxaca, Mexico by Claudia Rosel

Auction. 

"Manos que Ven" by Claudia Rosel.

El maestro José García Antonio y su mujer Santa Reina Teresita

Auction.

"Letish" Hargeisa, Somaliland. June 2023 by Claudia Rosel.

Exhibit Only

Amal Okkar in the Shatilla Camp. Beirut, 2022 

by Jake Borden, Exhibit Only.

Bali, Archives, Jake Borden.

Auction.

Auction.

Open Call 

Calling all photography artists! Whether you are the photographer or the subject, we want to hear from you. You must have all usage rights before submitting.

Participate for a chance to be featured alongside artists Carolina Coto and Jake Borden in the third issue of Abstract State Magazine. One winner will be featured and interviewed by founder Su Barikan.

What does Human Value mean to you?

The subject is the priority, and storytelling is preferred, especially in the form of photojournalism. Submissions must be strictly photography—no AI or other media will be accepted.

Judges. 

Carolina Coto, model/actor, founder of OMBRUJA.COM  

Fiorella Coto, film director and producer at Arara Films

Cory Vanderploeg, artist, "Human Value" photographer, DOP 

Su Barikan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Abstract State Magazine. 

Mr. Spacey, patron of the digital arts and collector.

Tom Wilson, photographer & painter founder of MarkMaker

Claudia Rosel, photographer, fellow Columbia Journalism.

Jake Borden, photo-journalist, Columbia University. 

Aaron Baker, artist, developer & Creative Director at NOW Media. 

Poonacha Machaiah & Deepak Chopra: Co-Founders of Seva Love

Cameron Bale & Jodee Rich: Co-Founders of NFT NYC & One Hub

Rachel Wilkins, artist, Time Pieces Council, founder of Good News OnChain and Send Halp.

Jennifer Moyer, project manager at SuperChief Gallery NYC 

Benzi, artist and founder of Time to be Happy Gallery.