Agustina Mistretta, the managing director of Hexton Gallery Aspen, is stepping out from behind the scenes to showcase her own artistic vision. The gallery professional, who has spent years advising other artists on their exhibitions, will present her first U.S. solo show titled "That Which Remains" at Carbondale Arts. The exhibition opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 22, and runs through September 23 at the gallery located at 76 S 4th Street.
Mistretta, who signs her artwork as "Agus," has been an integral part of Aspen's cultural landscape through her work at Hexton Gallery. Since 2022, she and Bob Chase have been leading the gallery's vision together, transforming it into what many consider an essential institution in the mountain town. Their partnership began after they met in 2020 and discovered their shared commitment to contributing to the city's cultural vitality.
"What we have in common is our strong interests in nature, our beliefs about how art can change your perception of the world, and our love of Aspen community's cultural value," Mistretta explained. "Being able to contribute to Aspen's cultural element is something we both deeply care about." The collaboration has allowed both to execute their shared artistic vision while strengthening Hexton Gallery's influence that reaches far beyond its standing as a traditional gallery space.
The 37-year-old artist's journey to this moment has been years in the making. Growing up in Patagonia, Argentina, Mistretta studied photography under master photojournalist Luis Bonich in her hometown, learning through hands-on experience. Her family history plays a significant role in her artistic process and the themes explored in her current exhibition. "My grandfather did a lot of films of my dad when he was little, and my dad would record me, my sister, and my mother playing together whenever we would go on month-long camping trips, and those moments really made me who I am," she reflected.
Mistretta first arrived in Aspen in 2012 as a ski instructor, initially drawn by the mountains that would later become central to her artistic work. After traveling abroad and participating in solo and group exhibitions in Argentina and Spain, she returned to Aspen where the landscape continued to inspire her creative vision. Over the years, she has accumulated a substantial archive of more than 20,000 images, from which she has carefully curated this ambitious exhibition.
"It took me years to let myself own that identity of an artist, and what I care about," Mistretta admitted. "It's much easier to give advice to other people on what they should do, rather than yourself." After applying to Carbondale Arts' annual open call, she was thrilled to receive the opportunity. "I'm very grateful, and they've been great to work with, and the opportunity they give to artists to show their work and share it with the community is amazing," she said.
The exhibition "That Which Remains" is a multimedia exploration that combines various elements of Mistretta's artistic journey. As part of her preparation for the show, she traveled back to Argentina to transfer family VHS tapes and Super-8 films to digital format, creating a video component that complements her photographic work. The show also features the first artist proof of her debut photography book, which is handmade and hand-bound, supported by a grant from the city of Aspen.
Mountains serve as the primary subject matter throughout Mistretta's personal archive, reflecting her deep connection to these geological formations. "That's kind of my thing, and the thing that will remain when we're gone, and the thing that was before us," she explained. "The ability of the mountain to surpass across time fascinates me." For Mistretta, mountains represent a grounding and steady force that has always made her feel at home and safe, knowing they would endure beyond human existence.
The exhibition also incorporates found material from unknown photographers, featuring images from the 1970s and 80s in an exploration of authorship and ownership. These photographs capture some of the most well-known and frequently photographed mountain vantage points that local residents will immediately recognize. "When I'm looking at a mountain, I have this one perspective of what it looks like from my vantage point. But then, you climb it and get to the top, you get a completely different perspective," Mistretta observed.
This exploration of perspective extends to questions about photographic ownership and the nature of capturing iconic views. "I go to Maroon Bells, and I stand at a specific viewpoint and it's the same view as the postcard created in the beginning of last century," she noted. "There's something about vantage point that creates a very similar image that makes me question whether I own an image by pushing a button." This philosophical inquiry into the nature of photography and authorship runs throughout her work, challenging viewers to consider their own relationship with these familiar landscapes.
"That Which Remains" represents not only Mistretta's artistic evolution but also her willingness to step into the spotlight after years of supporting other artists' visions. The exhibition promises to offer visitors a unique perspective on the mountain landscapes they know well, while inviting them to consider deeper questions about permanence, perspective, and the role of art in documenting our relationship with the natural world. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and excited to share this with the world," Mistretta concluded, as she prepares to reveal years of artistic development to the public for the first time.
