To mark the 86th anniversary of the birth of the renowned photographer, an exhibition of his works was inaugurated and a commemorative plaque was unveiled at his former home.
This Thursday marked 86 years since the birth of the outstanding Mendoza photographer Máximo Arias. For this reason, the discovery of a A commemorative plaque was placed on what was once his home in the Dorrego district, and an exhibition of his most emblematic photographs was inaugurated at Salas de Arte Libertad.
The tribute was given within the framework of the “Guaymallén, cradle of art” cycle, organized jointly between the Municipality and the Undersecretariat of Culture of the Province.
The exhibition can be visited until July 10, Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Libertad 466 in Villa Nueva, With free entry.
The commemorative plaque on what was his home in Dorrego.
Portraits with social commitment
During the commemorative events, the Undersecretary of Culture of the Province, Diego Garecahe highlighted: “It is a special day because it is the day of Máximo’s birth and he is one of the most important photographers that the province has given, for his vision, for his social commitment. Perhaps I would say that Máximo in photography is like Quino’s Mafalda, which was created many years ago, and the injustices of the reality that he shows us are still there. He portrayed very iconic photographs for the culture of Mendoza such as `Quién dijo que todo está perdido´, in which a man is seen helping another in a homeless situation, or `María Elena Primera´, which is a harvesting woman. He has portrayed childhoods, neighborhoods, towns in different cities of Argentina and that has made him a photographer with a social outlook and with a strong commitment to his people. A few years ago we opened the Espacio Máximo Arias in the Parque General San Martín as a tribute and it seems very significant to us to be here today, in what was his home until the last day of his life as a Guaymallen neighbor”.
“Who said that all is lost” – photography Máximo Arias
The great photographer of our land
Máximo Arias was born in the department of Guaymallén, on June 27, 1938. Passionate about portraits, for decades he dedicated himself to photographing the life of our province. His camera was able to capture the landscapes and local characters that gave him recognition as one of the most outstanding social photographers in Mendoza, transmitting poetry in each of his works.
Playing with the light, his gaze slid through the search for identity, the love of his land and the work of his people, so much so that his photography is considered an invaluable social document. The simple life of the inhabitants of the Lavalle desert, among dunes, chañares and carob trees; the goat stalls of Malargüe; the aborigines of all latitudes and their sense of belonging have been documented in hundreds of exhibitions, exhibitions and awards achieved throughout her career.
His work has received distinctions in national and international salons. He practiced photography considering it a means for the generation of social documents. Her gaze was guided by a search for roots and by an intention to show her love for the land based on what is popular. Her camera toured the Huarpe culture and the grape harvest on the farms.
Máximo himself said: “I always wanted to show my people, the land of my ancestors, of my blood. I walk through the countryside looking for the culture of those people who see the world differently, who think differently and who, therefore, must be respected.” Arias defined his work as “a social look at what happens to us and that nobody wants to see,” and that is why he emphasized that the best way to exhibit his photography “is in the street, where everyone passes by.” His historic stand, located on the corner of San Martín and Garibaldi, functioned as a permanent exhibition space.
His last exhibition during his lifetime, composed of twenty black and white photographs, was inaugurated in March 2010 in Freedom Art Rooms. He passed away a few days later, on April 13, 2010, leaving an invaluable cultural legacy for our province and the world.
“Until when” – photography Máximo Arias
Maximo Arias
