Los Angeles, CA Jan. 22, 2016
The 25th annual international photographic art exposition PHOTO LA. opened today and will run through Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 at The Reef on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
The celebration kicked off Friday night with their annual Gala which was attended by a estimated 3000 people who danced to salsa, blues and EDM music as guests studied images by Harry Benson, Karchi Pearlman, film director/photographer, Larry Clark and Paul McCartney’s personal photographer, MJ Kim among hundred of others.
As the city’s longest-running art fair, (they are celebrating their silver anniversary this year), photo l.a. brings together leading galleries, museums, universities, and nonprofit organizations for an unparalleled showcase of photographic art from around the world, from 19th Century masterpieces to contemporary, cutting-edge photography-based work.
The honoree for this year’s photo l.a. is Los Angeles artist James Welling, and the exposition will include an installation celebrating his distinguished career and groundbreaking work.
As in previous years, photo l.a. will also include a diverse range of programming, including roundtable discussions, educational workshops, docent tours, and curated installations that foster an ongoing dialogue about the changing landscape of photography and its role in the art world at large. Programming highlights include: “The Instagram Effect: How Instagram is Changing the Way We See Photography”; “Robert Mapplethorpe: Beyond Good and Evil”; and “Artists Take Issue: Perspectives and Practices in Activist Photography.” Programs and docent tours feature many of the most respected experts and artists in the field of photography, including Weston Naef, Curator Emeritus, J. Paul Getty Museum; Ivan Shaw, executive photography director at Vogue; and photographers James Welling, Jay Mark Johnson, Jim McHugh, and Zoe Crosher.
“After 25 years, our mission remains the same, to unite and support the international community of enthusiasts, collectors, and artists who share our love of photography,” says Claudia James Bartlett, director of photo l.a. “We believe that this is what makes photo l.a. such a unique experience for our participants and guests alike.”
General admission to photo l.a. is $20 in advance; $25 at the door. A three-day pass is available for $35 online; $40 at the door. Programs are ticketed separately.
Tickets can be purchased online at: www.photola.com.
The 2016 photo l.a. exposition, and programs will take place on the second floor of The Reef, located in the historic LA Mart building at 1933 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
The Reef Mart offers affordable onsite parking, and is also accessible by Metro.
