3rd & Vermont ...and a little beyond
Michael Cannon
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
3rd St. and Vermont Ave in Los Angeles is where different cultures seem to collide. Stand on the corner of that intersection and start walking north or south or east or west and for a brief visual second the eye is transported into a foreign kaleidoscope. To quote an article in the Los Angles Times written by Peter H. King:
"The corner of Third and Vermont, in the absolute middle of Los Angeles, is where the pretending stops. On display here is what might be called the real California, or perhaps more accurately, the next California. There is no intersection like it anywhere else in the land. The eyes settle first on the signage, an improbable assortment of billboards and strip mall marquees that suggest a reconvening of Babel's tribes: The Famous Korean Dumpling House. $1 Chinese Food. Agencia de Viajes. Hon's Body Shop. Karoke Box. California Donuts. La Ygriega Restaurant. Korean Sushi and Noodle. Fly to the Mythical Island of Bali. H.O.T. Thai Seafood. Vons is Value. Mecca Hallal Meats. BankAmericard Has a New Face: Yours. After the signs, people. People from Mexico. People from Bangladesh. People from El Salvador. Chinese. Filipinos. Japanese. Blacks. And, yes, some whites. Three separate census tracts of roughly 10,000 people each intersect at Third and Vermont, and in none do Caucasians constitute anything close to a majority. In fact, the numbers from the 1990 census document what the eyes see--every possible ingredient in the human stew, all tossed in together in fairly equal measure."
Michael Cannon has resided in the 3rd and Vermont neighborhood for fifteen years. This photographic series began during Cannon's physical therapy strolls following spinal surgery. With camera in hand and lingering pain in his back, he took to the streets to help further his recovery. 3rd and Vermont became a reference point but most of the images were shot within a ten to fifteen block radius of that intersection. Cannon managed to capture what most passers-by miss as they speed past; the cultural diversity that bustles along its streets with full force.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Born in Owen Sound and raised in Southampton, Canada. Michael Cannon began taking photographs at the age of thirteen with his family's Kodak Brownie camera. In high school Michael joined the camera club and learned how to develop film and print photographs in a traditional darkroom. In 1991 Cannon moved to Los Angeles and studied photography at Santa Monica City College and also attended numerous photographic workshops. Michael exhibits his work in the U.S. and in Canada. Currently Michael lives in L.A and returns to Southampton every year.
Michael considers himself a "generalist" photographing whatever presents itself as an object of visual interest whether it be the landscape, people, still life or street photography. "I've never liked the idea of being labeled as a particular type of photographer or being restricted to one style of photography. To me if some object/subject presents itself and speaks to me, it's as though I'm being drawn to it and then it just happens. It's a wonderful and mysterious experience."
ABOUT THE GALLERY
The Perfect Exposure Gallery is the recognized venue in Southern California to display the work of award winning and accomplished photojournalists as well as works of photographers that regard artistry and craftsmanship as a standard of excellence. Established in 1998 as a much needed venue for LA photojournalists and photographers, the gallery continues to create unique exhibits through contact with various media organizations including The Associated Press, Magnum Photo Agency, The Los Angeles Times, Getty Images, and Agence France-Presse.
The mission of the Perfect Exposure Gallery is to present exhibits free of charge to the general public with the goal to exemplify the rich variety and impact of photography, freedom of expression, the aesthetic, the contemptible, and the sublime. In addition, the gallery works with a distinguished group of acclaimed photojournalists to produce ongoing seminars and workshops for both adults and youths.
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 7th 2013, 6-9 pm
Exhibit Dates: March 8th - April 6th, 2013
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am-4pm
Media Contact: Christina Covarrubias · T 213.381.1137 · E Christina@theperfectexposuregallery.com
Facebook: ThePerfectExposureGallery
Twitter: @TPEGalleryLA
Tumblr: tpegallery.tumblr.com
