Echo Park

 The Sun decided to say hello just as the photo shoot started. A previously overcast day was now bright with colors; Amhari’s highlight shone like gold. We had just met the week before.

Amhari in front of the lake.

When I travel I believe the universe will provide what I need. As a photographer, specifically interested in using the genre of fashion photography to tell the stories of the marginalized, I can’t hone my talent without people. While in L.A. I really wanted to push myself to find a model for my project Black Femme Magic. I haven’t had much luck with model mayhem so I was hoping that while I was out on the town I would meet someone willing to be photographed by me.

I sat down on the bench outside of a party- legs tired from dancing to a nudisco song I couldn’t have Shazamed if I wanted to. On my right was Brooke just as tired as me and on the right was a person I didn’t know. In the spirit of being friendly, I said hello. Fast forward and I was now photographing this person.  

What started as a drinking reservoir in 1870 became a park in 1892. Amhari had suggested it because she was from eastern part of L.A.  I spent most of my time on the west side of the city so I rejoiced at the ability to go east. 

After the photoshoot Amhari took me to one of her favorite little pizza places in the neighborhood. 

L.A. Museums

The soft echo of footsteps bounce off the walls of the museum- a sound I know all too well. Being from DC, museums are everywhere and I have come to enjoy the world-class art my city has to offer. Museums can tell you a lot about a city as long as you ask the right questions. Where are the museums located? Are they free? Whose stories are being told?  In DC most of the museums are free. However, in LA almost all of the museums having some kind of fee, which I found to be surprising. Check out http://www.welikela.com/  for their monthly list of free museum days, so you can be sure to see great art on a budget. 

The first free museum day took me to The Getty. High on a hill, overlooking the rest of the city is where this mammoth art center lies. A graceful tram carries you from the parking lot around the hill to a stunning view of the city. LA fell below me just as rush hour was in full swing. 

I wasn't prepared for how large The Getty's campus was there is a sculpture and rose garden in addition to the five main buildings.

  My favorite exhibit was Latent Exposures. This photography exhibition showcased multipart photographic works. I was particularly enamored with the photography of William Leavitt seen below, and Liza Ryan. 

The next museum I ended up at was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA. An iconic museum known for its insta worthy Urban Light installation. LACMA struck me by how tactile the museum was. There were so many ways you could physically interact with the space. One of their exhibitions was an exploration of Native Art through Mexico and South America. The standard white box gallery space was shaped to look like red and tan rocks undulating in a cabin. 

Urban Light installation. 

The final museum was The Museum of Contemporary Art, MOCA. It was a rainy day in LA and I was not in the mood. The spell was immediately lifted in Mickalene Thomas’s exhibit Do I Look Like a Lady. Two large screens grabbed my attention, they played on a loop, images of black female performers the audio and visuals no longer in sync. I became joyous seeing the visuals of Josephine Baker with the comedy of Mo'Nique. The setting was similar to my grandmothers living room. Rugs decorated the floor; comfy chairs lounged against a wall; books were scattered across the room. Mickalene’s work centers a complex meditation on black female identity and how they are represented in the media.  Something that I am trying to do in my photography project BlackFemmeMagic.

While I do believe D.C. has some of the best museums in this country, I have to say LA has a great scene. The most ludicrous part was that I didn’t even make it to some of the other institutions like the Broad. No trip to LA is complete without viewing the abundant and enriching museum scene. 

Dreams and Cardigans

"Hopped off the Plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan," A wise philosopher once spoke those words.  As the plane began its descent into LA they rang like a song in my head. When I graduated from college, I faced a dilemma. I could either move to LA and chase my dreams to become an artist or take the practical route get a job and wear cardigans year round because cubicle temperatures hover below freezing. Surprisingly I took the practical route and four years later I am now able to travel the world and dedicate 100% of my time to my creative process. Coming to LA was surreal for me because I always imagined myself living in this city. 

I exited LAX and into the car of a friend from Amsterdam who whisked me to Hollywood so I could settle in and grab some food.  The very first thing I noticed was the sheer reliance on cars and while everyone tries to make the experience better. I couldn’t help but feel passenger-seat road rage due to the fact that rush hour is a 24/7 affair.  

After grabbing a bite to eat we wondered around Hollywood.

My friend and I went back to where I was staying and talked. Those small intimate moments are the ones I’m going to miss the most when I’m abroad. There’s nothing more comfortable then talking with a friend you’ve known for multiple years. Part of me is really sad that I'm going to miss those moments with people I really care about. However, while I will be missing out on small moments with old friends I will be creating new memories and connections while abroad.  

By the end of the first week, I had fallen in love with LA, even though my friends expected me to hate it. In truth- I expected to hate it as well. I imagined a city full of fake people the same way people imagine D.C. as a city full of stuffy bureaucrats. LA has a large and vibrant culture from the beautiful area of Little Tokyo. 

To the holiday office party I went to with my friend Brooke who graciously housed me during my stay. 

LA Surprised me and in a lot of ways, I surprised myself. I went to California as a test before my move to Tokyo. As you will see from my upcoming posts I think I aced it. Subscribe so you won't miss any more of my LA adventures.