Art Always Has To Motivate: An Interview With Photographer Jairo Alvarez

Jairo Alvarez is a young, award-winning Argentinian photographer with an extraordinarily inventive way of seeing the world, both visually and metaphysically. He has had several exhibitions in Europe in 2016, including a project called Slow Road in Italy. The up-and-coming surrealist artist, currently in Africa, shares more with Culture Trip in an exclusive interview, translated from the Spanish:
Your work clearly carries a social commentary. What is the message for your public? Everyone’s going to have their own interpretation, but what types of thoughts or questions do you want your work to encourage?
I believe art always has to motivate, to touch a nerve. There are things that are accepted in our lives or in society that, in day-to-day life, we don’t allow ourselves to see or talk about. So I want to de-contextualize everyday life, to observe the world around me, to see objects and situations from another point of view. I believe it’s a kind of protest against the established norms. That’s why I like to create—I don’t conform with what I see day to day, it’s not enough for me; I need to invent something new, as simple as that. Everything changes depending on the perspective or viewpoint we have on reality, and that’s what I like to show.

You grew up in Argentina. How do you think that influenced or affected your work?
No doubt, my work has been influenced by my environment. Argentina has always been a place of social and economic volatility. I’m no sociologist, but I think Argentinians always know how to rebuild things and find creative solutions to things. Particularly for me, born and raised in a small town [Puan, Argentina] surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes—this daily contact with nature and its immensity also influenced my photography. Almost all my photographs are taken outside in natural light.

How did you get started in conceptual photography?
When I was a kid I loved to draw, I did it all the time. As the years went by, I stopped drawing so much and started to get into photography. After spending some time learning to shoot, I realized that I could use photography to transmit my ideas and create something totally new, something unique. I feel like photography is closely related to drawing; the only difference is, now it’s the camera that’s my instrument for bringing concepts into reality.

Who are your artistic icons? Your intellectual icons?
René Magritte, Pawel Kuczynski, Salvador Dalí, Wes Anderson, Christoph Niemann. Alejandro Jodorowsky, Eckhart Tolle, Alejandro Dolina.

See more of Alvarez’s work here.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

View Offers