Alexandre Manuel

Gondolas II, Venice, Italy (B&W Photography)

2017

ALEXANDRE MANUEL: EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF THE LANDSCAPE Born in 1979 in the Franche-Comté region, straddling the borders of Switzerland and France, Alexandre Manuel is an artist whose work has evolved into a profound investigation of the visual language and semiotics of photography. Now based in Portugal, Manuel holds a doctorate in Visual Semiotics, specializing in printed photography. A distinguished academic, he is also an auxiliary professor at several universities, having earned this title through the recognition of the French Ministry. Despite his academic achievements, Manuel’s passion for photography has always driven him to dedicate his life to the medium, where his visual exploration of nature and the human experience continues to evolve. THE LIMITS OF THE LANDSCAPE Manuel’s photographic practice revolves around the interrogation of landscape, particularly its limits and boundaries. Through his refined technique and use of long exposure, Manuel captures natural landscapes that convey a delicate tension between absence and presence. His images evoke an existential dialogue between humankind and the environment, drawing attention to the fragile relationship between man and nature. These visual statements probe the natural evolution of landscapes—often untouched by human intervention—and highlight their permanence or impermanence within the context of human experience. TIME AND SPACE IN PHOTOGRAPHY At the core of Manuel’s work is a fascination with temporality. His long exposure techniques, coupled with his understanding of atmospheric conditions, allow him to craft images that evoke a sense of serene timelessness. Manuel seeks to create spaces that are not merely representations of the natural world, but evocative landscapes where time becomes fluid, and the viewer’s imagination is free to wander. The tranquility of his work is underscored by the subtle presence of human influence, whether in the form of structures, rocks, or maritime locations—suggesting a continuity between humanity and nature, as they coexist in a quiet, unspoken harmony. A CONTINUOUS SCENE OF PEACEFULNESS In his own words, Manuel states, "I try to create a continuous scene that is untouched by time and only framed by traces of human contact in structures, rocks, and maritime locations." This approach reflects his desire to depict landscapes that transcend the constraints of time, offering a moment of stillness where the viewer can experience nature in its most pristine form. His photographs not only capture the beauty of the natural world but also invite reflection on the enduring, yet fragile, connection between humanity and the landscapes it inhabits.