Alec Von Bargen

Statement

Artist by profession, photographer by inspiration, playwright by 'obstination', actor by dedication and world traveller by addiction. Born in New York, grew up in England and Mexico, German parents, 5 and 1/3 languages plus a healthy passion for all things Asia.  Carbon footprint's off the chart yet recycling is fundamental as are all things green. Human rights are an obsession: live and let live.

Some use the term ‘Wanderlust’, others claim to be “In search of”, many are clearly running away from and quite a few are simply lost. I can’t relate to any of the above and yet I’m guilty of all four. I’m somewhat the consequence of a lifestyle-inherited… the by-product of a set of circumstances… all I know is that my life is one long journey and that I spend most nights dreaming on foreign bed sheets, conversing with fragrances of adopted pillowcases many.

Am I exhausted? At times. Do I complain? Almost always. Would I change it all? Never!

I’m not trying to create a reality, I simply document mine… I use nothing but a tiny, digital point-and-shoot camera.

I work all over the world but rest at home in the Mayan jungle near Akumal, Mexico.

CV

Born in New York City, USA

Lives and Works in Akumal, Mexico

Studies:

-Iberoamericana University – Mexico City, Mexico

-Centro de Estudios Artisticos – Mexico City, Mexico

Most recent exhibitions:

-2013 Milan Image Art Fair – Milan, Italy

-2012 PULSE MIAMI Art Fair – Miami, USA

-The Biggs Museum of  American Art – Delaware, USA

-The 2012 Arles International Photography Festival. Arles, France.

-The 54th Venice Biennale – Official Selection – Costa Rica Pavilion – Venice, Italy

-The Victoria and Albert Museum – London, England

-Guest Artist – Basel Hot Art Fair – Basel, Switzerland

-Gallerie Forma D'Arte - Venice, Italy

-The National Gallery of Zimbabwe - Harare

-qrzy3 - San Giorgio Castle - Orzinuovi, Italy

-Galerie Huit – Penang, Malaysia

-Nuova Galleria Morone – Milan, Italy

-The Queen’s Complex in Bagh-e-Babur – Kabul, Afghanistan

-Alte AEG Fabrik – Berlin, Germany

-Art Space Beijing – Beijing, China

-Ana Tzarev Gallery – New York City, USA

-The 2011 Arles International Photography Festival. Arles, France

-Galerie Huit – Arles, France

-DIA Denver International Airport – Denver, USA

-The Mall Galleries, Pall Mall – London, UK

-The Soncino Biennale – Soncino, Italy

-The Center for Fine Art Photography – Colorado, USA

-Arte Forte Art Fair - Forte dei Marmi, Italy

-Arte Verona Art Fair - Verona, Italy

-The Agora Gallery – New York City, USA

-Arts League Museum – California, USA

-Arte Padova Art Fair - Padova, Italy

-ArtPrize – Grand Rapids, USA

-LACDA – Los Angeles, USA

-The San Diego International Art Fair – San Diego, USA

-NES - Skagaströnd, Iceland

-The Brooklyn Art Library – New York, USA

Recent Awards

-Jury Merit Award – Grand Prix de la Decouverte – Paris, France

-3rd place winner – 2012 International Photography Awards – Professional nature category - Los Angeles, USA

-1st place winner August edition POLLUX AWARDS - Fine Arts - York, UK

-Shortlist 2011 International Celeste Prize - New York, USA

-Shortlist 2011 LICC Awards - London, UK

-5 People's choice awards - Px3 Official Prix de la Photographie – Paris, France

-Honorable Mention - 2011 International Photography Awards - USA

-Winner Galerie Huit Open Salon – Arles, France

-Finalist at the 2011 Renaissance Photography Awards in London, UK

-Jury selection winner and Director’s honorable mention at the 2011 ‘Blue’ Competition and Exhibit at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, Colorado

-Finalist - 2011 Kellicutt International Juried Photo Show

-Bronze medal winner at the International Aperture Award in Melbourne, Australia

-Commended winner at London Photographic Association’s ‘Urbanscape 3’, London, UK

-Winner at the 2010 LACDA Top 40 Visual Artists, Los Angeles

-Winner at the 2010 Chelsea International Art Competition, New York

-Finalist at the 2009 International CELESTE.PRIZE, Berlin

-Finalist at the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize, London

Catalogues/Publications:

-2012 IPA Annual – Los Angeles, USA

-2012 ‘An Eye for an Ear’ – Exhibition Catalogue – Huit Gallery, Arles, France.

-2012 ‘Alec Von Bargen – The Long Walk Home’ – Solo exhibit catalogue – Edizioni Nuova Galleria Morone – Milan, Italy

-2012 ‘Transcience’ Exhibition book – The Arles International Photography Festival – Arles, France

-2011 International CELESTE PRIZE - New York, USA

-Official 54th Venice Biennale Catalogue - Venice, Italy

-2011 PX3 Book - Paris, France

-LICC - London International Contemporary Photography Book

-Art Fairs International – ‘Von Bargen’s Long Walk Home’ - May Issue – Hong Kong

-Rooms Art Uncovered – March Issue –London, UK

-Zoom 96 – 2011 – March Edition – ‘CRASH-ED’ - USA

-Hot Art Fair 2010 Catalogue - Switzerland

-The Silent March – Publication for Hot Art Fair Basel

-Chelsea International Art Contest – Agora Gallery, New York

-ZOOM 96 – 2010 – May Edition – Alec Von Bargen, Photographer

-CELESTE.PRIZE Catalogue 2009

-The Self-Portrait Project – Catalogue – Brooklyn Library

-Remedy Magazine UK – Issue 7 – June 2010

-‘ONE’ – Photography by Alec Von Bargen

-‘In.Residence’ – Alec Von Bargen – Photographs

Residencies/Fellowships

-Scholarship/Grant NYArts Beijing Residency

-Fellowship at NES residency, Iceland

Alec Von Bargen’s work has been included in private and public collections around the world, he has also 15+ years experience as an actor/producer/director and writer.