two tu ser 1.1 is a photography exhibition by Santiago Barreiro Pacheco, presented at the Mexican Cultural Institute of San Antonio from May 9 to July 25. The project explores presence — the act of truly being in a place, in a moment, in oneself.

Through a series of photographs captured across multiple journeys around the world, the exhibition reflects on how technology can both distance us and paradoxically help us preserve memory. Each image freezes a specific instant in cities such as Dubai, India, Madrid, and Rome — portraying individuals immersed in lived experience, notably absent of mobile devices, fully embodied in their surroundings. The title carries a conceptual duality: “two” as the number two, but also “tú” (you), and “ser” (to be). The core idea suggests that two make you be — encounters, shared moments, and human connection are what shape identity. The emphasis is not on spectacle, but on the person. On presence as essence. The “1.1” signifies an evolving archive. With an extensive body of photographic work, the exhibition is conceived as the first iteration of a potentially expanding series — future chapters drawn from Barreiro’s growing visual memory.

For this project, rastro led creative direction and developed a short documentary-style film centered on the conceptual and emotional process behind the exhibition. The audiovisual piece functions as a narrative extension of the gallery experience — reflecting on travel, memory, authorship, and the act of observing. Through a restrained and cinematic editing approach, the film mirrors the exhibition’s contemplative tone, allowing image and reflection to coexist without excess.