Here, we witness the ultimate balancing act, survival. Thomas Card’s large-scale photographic series “Mass” reveals the continual struggle of modern society through the perilous configurations of 40 white mice with piercing red eyes teetering upon a ledge. Alluding to the compositions of the great Phillip Guston, the anxiety-inducing scenes of mice fighting to survive against the cold cruel neutral backgrounds instigate visceral responses in viewers about their position within each of their own communities. Inspired by the blinding red brake lights of New York City’s infamous traffic congestion, for Card, the red eyes of the mice become symbols of the human desire to congregate in search of love and protection. However, the fragility of our society is called into question. How quickly does our perception of society transform from sure-footed and stable to wavering upon a precipice? The subtle biblical allusion to the precarious nature of the number 40 hints at the rise and fall of civilizations. The tension mounts as mouse climbs over mouse, interlock their tails, and plant themselves among the chaos. The gazes of mice catch ours, implicating us in this treacherous dance. The struggle between fear and desire as humanity approaches its role in society takes on the form of visual poetry. Card’s viewers are forced to confront their own connection to their rapidly growing cities, the part they play as a member of their own community, and what choices they will make as part of the mass.