Elchalten is a village Inside Los Graciáres National Park, Argentina. Remote Park is based 48 Glacierseveral trailheads begin in town. Located in a shop, restaurant and hotel in one of El Chalten Main Street This is the La Brick Art Gallery by photographer Alex Demetz.
Demets managed the gallery and after traveling the past 6 years to photograph South America, he exhibited his work for the past three years. Originally from the Midwest, Demett began traveling full-time to pursue his photography career almost a decade ago. Since then, he has completed just two dozen final images, almost all of which can only be viewed in his gallery.
In an interview with GlacierHub, Demets discusses his work so far, his artistic approach, and plans for the future. This is the first interview Demett gave to his work.
This interview has been compiled for clarity and brevity.
After years of travel, what drew you to create the glacially shaped landscape at the Patagonia home at Larenga Art Gallery?
Obviously, it was fascinating to be at the foot of some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery. We also simplified the logistics of running a photo tour. This is another branch of my business. Unlike its Peru and Mexican destinations, I knew El Chalten lacked art. In contrast to many of the larger cities, it would be desirable to be the only gallery in a small town. Elchalten also had a long season. As a traveler, this was a plus.
How did you choose which images to display in the gallery?
I mainly show work from South America. I would like to show you my most unique images and balance my work in El Chalten and other parts of the continent. My long-term vision is to make my gallery (i.e.) a place where people can see all the most unique landscapes of the continent in just a few minutes.
We named the Gallery Labrick for Indigenous Trees of Patagonia. Please tell us more about how wood plays into your photo presentation.
The Live Edge Wood Frame is an extension of the gallery’s aesthetic. Contrasts against hard foam/lines and rigid forms/lines. I present my work in unexpected ways. Rather than creating a white minimalist space that doesn’t distract me from art, I try to create a space that matches the art.
Can you explain your creative process?
My creative processes tend to be drawn out, and my goal is to highlight what makes each landscape unique, rather than taking a cookie cutter approach to film them. I try not to create the same image in different places. It incorporates dead tree-like elements that are unique to certain landscapes. Dead brick trees provide curves, lines and textures, leading to unique results.
For landscape images, it starts with scouting a new area. You might go on 5-10 hikes before you find something unique. Once I find something I like, I will continue to go back to it until I shoot it under the weather conditions I wanted. Usually, you will need to retry the images many times when you are expecting certain weather conditions. For example, finding the ideal sky can tie the composition together, but almost necessarily means reshooting the scene multiple times. I usually know that the image ends when it reaches a point that reduces the return.
We use limited social media and sell prints only to in-person visitors. Why take this approach to sharing your work?
Because I have mixed feelings about social media. And because I prefer to look at my photos in the intended size. I would like you to see it in the gallery frame as many things affect your art experience. Having a cropped version of my image scrolls through a small screen will lose the experience I’m trying to create.
Social media can help you market and run your business, but it seems detrimental to creative processes. The fundamental aspect of art is trying to create something original. Most art lovers expect professional artists to be able to create original artworks. Still, the high percentage of disappointing social media nature photographers has a portfolio of images taken by others before. This art is stretch. Seeing this from an amateur and hobby photographer is one thing. Because replication is part of learning. However, when others benefit from retakes of images they originally created, the lines cross.
Separately, to keep up with the demands of Instagram’s algorithms, artists are pushed to create images in quantities rather than creating quality images.
In a way, by making it difficult to see my images (the majority cannot be seen online; they need to physically walk through the gallery), they tend to be more appreciated by those who see them. Just as people are happy to pay more to watch their favourite artist perform live rather than buy their own CDs, people appreciate art more in galleries.
What do you want viewers to take away from your visit to your gallery?
As a traveler, I sometimes come across business with a certain energy. My belief is that this energy comes from interior design, location, product quality, overall uniqueness, and more. In many cases, all of this is not found in companies where key features maximize profits. Even if it’s refined and clean, it tends to feel more common.
You need to create a magical, mysterious and original space. I think people see art and travel to feel these things.
Are you currently focusing your energy on the gallery or is a new project taking shape?
The gallery will be closed at El Chalten at the end of this season. Restart with El Calafate. I bought it with two friends and plan to open another gallery in Brazil.
My new gallery is more elaborate as I own it rather than rent it. I plan to save for them a year away from Patagonia and focus on new conceptual photography projects (although nature is still an element). They blend photography styles. I enjoy nature photography, but I think there are limits to what I can communicate with as an artist.
Having spent nearly a decade in South America has influenced the way I see the world. My understanding and adaptation journey of many cultures on the continent and theirs is something I would like to focus on expressing in these upcoming projects.
To see more works by Alex Demets or to contact him, visit his Instagram @lalengaaartgallery.
