ReflectSpace gallery at Glendale Central Library is currently hosting a photographic feast for the eyes with its latest exhibition, Projecting L.A. 2024. Capturing the essence of the city through the lenses of a diverse group of shutterbugs, this presentation delves into the vibrant and often untold stories of Los Angeles. Julia Dean, who's had quite the journey from apprentice to Berenice Abbott to a photo editor for the Associated Press, spearheads this initiative as a way to showcase the raw narratives from the streets she has long been capturing in her work. “What better way is there to show off powerful street, documentary, and news stories about Los Angeles and its people than on the street and through projection?” remarked Julia Dean, as she reflected on the purpose of the project, according to the Glendale city news release.
With a lineup that boasts Pulitzer Prize winners and Emmy Award recipients, the roster reads like a who-is-who of photography. Names like Karen Ballard and the legendary Jeff Bridges intertwine to narrate the city's tales, from the all-consuming fentanyl crisis to behind-the-scenes views of Hollywood. But do not mistake Projecting L.A. 2024 for a simple snapshot collage of celeb and cinematic fluff. This showcase is a sharp and earnest insight into the many layers of the Angel City, sharing even its darkest corners with a lens of empathy and artistry. Stories span from wild Venice Beach antics all the way to underground wrestling scenes, all rendered through remarkable photojournalism.
The exhibition's premier took place during a unique outdoor screening event in Chinatown, transforming the walls of a three-story building into a larger-than-life canvas for over 2,000 people who gazed upon Los Angeles's magnified heartbeat. The ReflectSpace's indoor exhibition promises a more personal experience as it runs from October 5 to December 8, 2024. "The work is outstanding. Prepare yourself to be inspired," stated Dean in her pitch to potential visitors, in a statement obtained by the Glendale city news release.
A collaborative effort by Dean, Daniel Sackheim, and curators Ara and Anahid Oshagan, Projecting L.A. 2024 is an ode to the city's dynamism. Daniel Sackheim, not only an Emmy Award-winning director and producer with hits like Game of Thrones and Ozark under his belt, also brings a keen photographic eye to the meld, inspired by his love of Film Noir. For history buffs and photography enthusiasts alike, ReflectSpace is located at 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA, nestled in Glendale, known to locals as the "Jewel City." The gallery, a part of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, brings together art, technology, and interactive media to engender dialogue around social justice and human rights issues. The opening reception is slated for October 4, just in case your calendar was looking for something impactful to mark.
For further details on this enlightening glimpse into Los Angeles through a photographic lens, interested parties can find additional information and potentially lose themselves in the digital corridors of the exhibition here.
