p.1 #1 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
I'm sure there are a number of photographers here who know of Galen Rowell's photography and were perhaps inspired by his work and his photographic legacy. I was very sad to learn that the Mountain Light Gallery is closing, perhaps by the middle of next month.
p.1 #2 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
All good things do eventually come to an end. Kinda sad, but not as sad as the events in 2001 (plane crash). I always stopped in there for a bit of inspiration but after so many years the only part that kept me interested was the smaller gallery in the rear that rotated the artists every couple of months. The business must have been suffering as any would from a very long spell of no new material. And that there are so damn many digital photographers doing equal or better work these days.
p.1 #3 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
I never had a chance to visit the gallery, but Galen was one of the photographers who inspired me the most. His book "Galen Rowell's Vision: The Art of Adventure Photography" is one of my favorite books ever. I read it on the long stretch of a flight to Indonesia in the 90s. His and his wife's passing in 2002 (August 11, 2002), was shocking to me at the time, and still is a sad thing to me today.
p.1 #5 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
I feel like part of me is dying with the imminent closure of this gallery. Yes, when I last passed thru in late 2013 the writing appeared to be on the wall. Not much traffic. Still, the level of inspiration and just sheer awesomeness when I first came upon the Rowell's work years earlier will forever be etched in my soul. Mankind is way way to the better for their efforts...., just say'n.
p.1 #7 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
I had the fortune to spend some time in this Gallery in 2010 when a storm chased us out of Rock Creek during the height of the Fall Colors season. Let's hope the art work finds a good home.
p.1 #10 · End of an era: Mountain Light Gallery closing in Bishop, CA
As much as I am downright depressed to have heard this news, I must also admit that I barely have spent more than a few bucks there over the last 10+ years. I've always wanted one of his $1200+ big prints, but just never got around to affording it.
I do hope that Galen's memory is not completely lost, because his written books, and his archive of online articles, are an absolute gold mine and are still relevant today, in fact some of his quotes about digital manipulation have only become more and more relevant, after his passing. Considering that he died in 2001, it is impressive how he predicted some of the debates that would indeed rage white-hot, over a decade later:
“Photographs are like gems: the real and the synthetic are often physically indistinguishable, but there is no question as to the ultimate value. A photograph that depicts a moment of real life, whether that of a human activity or of the natural world, is of a higher order than the most perfect replication created by or for the camera with luck removed from the formula.”
