Maxime Taccardi is an artist who is most notable for his unusual method – creating his pieces using his own blood. He studied art in collage, his thesis focusing on the monstrosity and what is considered abnormal by society. Currently he is a middle school art teacher, but plans to continue furthering his creative career. His catalogue of work is varied, including painting, drawing, filmmaking and music.

For our latest mission, we put a Carnegie Hall orchestra in the middle of New York City and placed an empty podium in front of the musicians with a sign that read, “Conduct Us.” Random New Yorkers who accepted the challenge were given the opportunity to conduct this world-class orchestra. The orchestra responded to the conductors, altering their tempo and performance accordingly. This project was a collaboration with Carnegie Hall and Ensemble ACJW.

Participants sit on a cable chair as they take part in the 30th edition of the Belalp Witches Ski Race on January 14, 2012 in Belalp, Switzerland. The race is inspired by a legend dating back to the middle ages, of a witch who tormented villagers in the area until she was burnt to death. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

Climbers place a huge 80x80 metres (262x262 feet) Swiss national flag on the western face of the north-eastern Swiss landmark Mount Saentis, Switzerland on July 31, 2018. (Photo by Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters)

Girls sit inside an empty classroom as they pose for a photograph during a celebration marking the end of the school year in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria May 21, 2016. (Photo by Bassam Khabieh/Reuters)

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armored personnel carrier (APC) at a military base in the town of Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, December 24, 2014. (Photo by Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters)

A man takes photos of a high tide seen in the Bay Of Bengal before Cyclone Yaas arrives in Digha, 205km South of Kolkata, Eastern India, 25 May 2021. (Photo by Piyal Adhikary/EPA/EFE)

Children dance during the International Tournament of Joropo in Villavicencio, Colombia, Saturday, November 13, 2021. Joropo is the traditional music and dance of the Eastern Plains of Colombia and Venezuela. (Photo by Fernando Vergara/AP Photo)