Reflections - Gil Ortiz
December 13, 2011
Some of Los Angeles photographer Gil Ortiz' photographs will be on exhibit at Eastside Luv through January 15, 2011.
Here is the press release provided:
“Reflections” An Exhibition in Boyle Heights Offers a Gritty View of Street Life
Los Angeles, CA – December 15, 2011 – With the current state of the world being often portrayed as desolate, Gilbert Ortiz captures beauty in his photographs in “Reflections.”
One of seven brothers, Gilbert has been documenting the struggles of street life in his photographs, as a personal quest to show the poor and working classes as being worthy of a second look.
The reflective nature of the photographs are intended to give the viewer pause, and a chance to see themselves in the eyes of those they might not notice on the streets. Many of the people in the pictures may never have the opportunity to have their portrait taken, but as they are captured on film, they are no longer the forgotten faces.
One of Ortiz's favorite photographs is a picture of his dad standing between two cars with his compa Chuy. He had been visiting from New York and snapped his dad’s picture in a moment of connection though he’s the first to admit his dad’s energy helped make the picture come to life.
The many moments of lives seemingly given less value in the world are captured in “Reflections”. By looking to what is around him everyday, Ortiz is able to remind the viewers that people have stories to tell, even if we never know the details, even if we never ask for their names.
Photographs are glimpses into life and into the soul of the eyes that look back. But it is the viewer that is finally able to see what's inside of themselves when they understand that a portrait is a conversation, a whisper of recognition.
As Ortiz notes of his own childhood and the value of images, “I came from a struggling beginning of household movers, but we always had photographs.”
Gilbert Ortiz is the co-curator and photographer featured in “Reflections,” now being shown at Eastside Luv Wine Bar y Queso at 1835 East 1st Street in Los Angeles, CA from December 10, 2011 to January 15, 2011.
Urban Hiking by Angela Maria Ortiz S.
September 17, 2010
Photographer Angela Maria Ortiz S.
is currently working
on a series called Urban Hiking.
She emailed me this statement:
"I’ve
been doing street photography for a longtime. With
this series called Urban Hiking
I’ve approached it differently. I’ve gotten bolder in
my aim to capture the images that are either in front
or passing by me in the different sections of Los
Angeles. It can be a daunting process at
times."
El Nuevo Porvenir Market - circa 1946
November 21, 2009
Thanks to Los Angeles photographer Gil Ortiz for this vintage photo of his father Willie Ortiz (right) and Gil's grandfather Gilberto Trevino. The photo was taken at El Nuevo Porvenir Market on Figueroa and Alpine in Los Angeles around 1946.
Gil Ortiz
July 24, 2009
In either 1975 or 1976 photographer Gil Ortiz shot Cesar Chavez on a march through Malibu, CA.
Born in Los Angeles Gil grew up in the downtown LA area. At an early age he landed a job in a photo lab and soon began to document life around him. For years he was a shooter in New York. He is currently back to shooting in Los Angeles.
Ortiz Transfer - 1952
July 17, 2009
Photographer Gil Ortiz was kind enough to let me use this photo taken by his father Willie Ortiz.
Photo was taken on Alpine Street between Figueroa and Bunker Hill, about 1952.
Back row, from left: Dickie V., Richie Trevino
Front row, from left: Gilbert Ortiz, Eddie Ortiz, Rachel Razo.