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Spotlighting images and updates from our community

June 9, 2021

Happy Pride to our LGBTQ+ friends and allies! From America to overseas, the queer umbrella really does span a wide range of identities and viewpoints. Sometimes their lens focuses on sexuality, sometimes on gender, and oftentimes on anything but. No matter what their subject, however, queer imagemakers have mastered observing a changing society as outsiders, and in doing so, are changing society themselves.

“In my culture, homosexuality is not approved by the Chinese government and most people do not have an open heart or positive attitude about it. I’ve been in the U.S. for five years now and see that homosexuality is more common in American culture. You can see the presence of homosexuality everywhere— in television shows, films, and magazines… Although I am not blaming my country, I want to make some changes in my culture even if it’s small. I want to show the rebellious spirit of my sexuality.”

-Max Yang, ArtCenter Photography student

Outreach Ambassador Amanda Villegas talked to classmate Max Yang about being gay in China and America, and the power of art to make change.

I focused my lens on drag queens because I believe they embody the utmost in pure artistic talent; they are fashion designers, hair stylists, make-up artists, and performers all wrapped up in one. For this series, I began taking candid photos in queer nightclubs, and after forging friendships and mutual trust, I collaborated with some of my subjects in more elaborate studio shoots. As a gay man, I am blessed to be surrounded by talented friends who are artists, musicians, and performers.”

- Brandon Rizzuto, BFA ‘18

Randomness may dictate outcome, but even with the infinite possibilities, there is a familiarity and the start of a complex system/structure beginning to take shape. “Anatomy of Chaos” is about decay, degeneration, and our eventual fade into nothingness. Vol. 1 mirrors the Salton Sea, an ode to its beautiful dying. And in its dying, a new life to be. The infinity of continuum.

- Vasanth Nagarajan, BFA ‘20

What’s new in the Photo Department?

We are excited to announce that advertising photographer Tim Tadder will be our first guest speaker this summer. Tim is an internationally established artist, photographer, and director. His powerful and graphic fine art photography employs bold colors and high-contrast compositions to explore the value of truth, unity, and free-thinking in our current socio-political landscape. Tim’s art expresses the value of hope and imagination in an unprecedented period of world disruption. In the face of threats to our planet and our democracy, his work juxtaposes comfort and consumption, foreboding and freedom, to make sense of the world as it is today.

Join us Tuesday, June 22nd at 6pm PST. This event is free and open to all! Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

In other equally exciting news…

• Mark your calendar! 🎉 Our Virtual Summer Gallery Reception is Wednesday, July 14th at 5pm PST. Join us as we applaud the work selected for the Summer ‘21 Student Gallery. RSVP info will be announced soon.

• Congrats to ArtCenter Photography student Nori Rasmussen whose work is featured in a group exhibition REEL LOS ANGELES. If you are in L.A., check out the show on display at Tlaloc Studios, 447 E 32nd St, until June 26th. Post a photo of the exhibit during your visit and tag us @artcenterphoto to be reposted!

• The Little Black Gallery and Fahey/Klein Gallery are proud to present BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!, a group exhibition that promotes queer and gay photography. ArtCenter instructor Paul Jasmin’s work is included in the show, and alumni Brandon Rizzuto has work in the original published book by the same title.

• New alumni business on the block! U.S. veteran Nelson Park (BFA ‘17) recently set up shop at The Row. His Art District Print Co is a premier fine art and photo printing service provider for the highest archival museum quality inkjet prints. Support local businesses and long live paper!

• Have questions about our return to campus? Read ArtCenter’s comprehensive plan here.

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