Lucie Foundation and photo l.a. are pleased to announce the first CONVERGE: 11 DAYS OF FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROGRAMMING. This initiative in which both organizations will collaborate to bring together photographic initiatives honoring all aspects of photography, will include multiple exhibitions, events and celebrations to be presented during this comprehensive 11-day period.

Aligning with LA Arts Month in January, CONVERGE will provide destination programming where photo l.a., as the centerpiece, is surrounded by a robust Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA) line-up. To accomplish this, for its ninth year, MOPLA moves from April to January 12 – February 14, 2017.

These two recognized photographic arts organizations share a mutual goal – to honor, enliven and celebrate photography in the Los Angeles community. With photo l.a.’s 26 year history and Lucie Foundation’s Month of Photography Los Angeles eight-year record of bringing the Los Angeles photography community together, our goal is to leverage these strengths while inviting other arts organizations to join in, thereby enhancing the focus on Los Angeles as an international photography destination, in all its forms.  Claudia James Bartlett co-owner and director of photo l.a. states, “Founder Stephen Cohen and I are enthusiastically looking forward to collaborating with Lucie Foundation. We know the best way for Los Angeles to move the needle forward and further embrace a strong, vivid world presence is for collaborative efforts like “Converge.” Our long standing mission is and has been to bring ardent enthusiasts and collectors to Los Angeles.”

As a decades-long supporter of the photographic arts in Los Angeles and founder of Lucie Foundation, Hossein Farmani stated, “This joint effort makes so much sense – together we can expand our impact exponentially. By moving MOPLA to January and partnering with photo l.a., every photographer, collector and observer benefits.” Cat Jimenez, Executive Director of Lucie Foundation, added, “After presenting the prior eight iterations of our Month of Photography Los Angeles festival, whose defining spirit is built on the notion of collaboration, joining forces with photo l.a. is the natural next step. We will continue to grow the spotlight on photography in Los Angeles together.”

See image: Huss Hardan, Anguish #1, 2016, 20 by 28 matted/printed on silver halide archival paper.

Huss Hardan will be featured at LAArtParty’s booth. A talented photographer, Huss is also the owner of huZ Galleries in San Pedro. “huZ Galleries not only promotes our art, but also the Arts District community in San Pedro, which is full of some incredibly talented artists. We remain focused and insist on representing artists who show not only a level of creativity, but also quality in their work. This will be the second time thatHuss Hardan has participated in MOPLA and his first show at photo l.a. Eight ofHardan’s works will be featured from his Anguish and Obsession trilogy…which is sub divided into An American Love Story, Mother Earth and The Color of Money.
 
Hardan is meticulous about his work and stages every shot. ”The venue of that stage may change – that is the only difference,” continued Huss. “Whether walking down a street and coming upon an unfolding scene that in itself is still a stage for me or whether working with a predefined shot list, it’s just another stage.”
 
Check out the photography of Huss Hardan on his website at http://husshardan.com/

CONVERGE requests individual organizations to join in and take the 11-day challenge, in that they present programing and media outreach during this intensive time, utilizing their power for the entire community. Both organizations will coordinate all efforts and come together to celebrate and reap the benefits.

WHO WE ARE: photo l.a. – In a time of large corporations producing art fairs, photo l.a. is a 26 year-old organization that has produced 54 art fairs across the country. The team believes their work strengthens the vitality of the community and the market. In an age where most people are invested in the Internet, it is still clear that the community longs to come together in a shared experience. For 26 years, photo l.a. has been proud to offer this platform with countless possibilities, to promote commerce and create opportunity. photo l.a. continues to provide a space to facilitate central discussion about what photography has been, what it is today, and how it might evolve. Over the years, photo l.a. has changed, just like the marketplace. It has always been in our best interest and a joy to serve the Los Angeles art and photo community.

See image: Steve Schapiro The Man Who Fell To Earth – 1975 – courtesy of Monroe Gallery

LUCIE FOUNDATION – In April 2009, Lucie Foundation launched the inaugural Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA). As the second largest photography community in the United States, Los Angeles provides a distinctive backdrop to the celebration of the photographic image. Month of Photography Los Angeles was established and exists to advance the celebration of Photography through a variety of events and programs designed to inspire and invigorate the photography professional, enthusiast, emerging professional and collector. Month of Photography’s two-fold mission is to advance dynamic programming designed to engage and stimulate the photography community, as well as to present a comprehensive resource of exhibitions and events. To find out more about MOPLA, visit the website – http://www.monthofphotography.com/

OUR SHARED MISSION: The world of photography has enjoyed an unprecedented wealth of image making. From 2008–2016, there have been more images created than in the entire history of photography. With the rapid progress and popularity of online image sharing platforms, it’s easier than ever to access, share and participate in the photography community on various levels. This wealth of image making and sharing is reflected offline in Los Angeles too. With museums like The Getty, LACMA, The Hammer, MOCA and The Broad, as well as hundreds of art galleries, Los Angeles is home to a robust and varied photography and arts community. Outside of these major institutions and galleries, Los Angeles also houses top-ranked art schools, producing some of the finest artists and artworks on the market today. Yet, despite every Instagram “like,” Twitter re-tweet or visit to the museum, there remains a need for a realtime, in-person, non-institutional photography/arts community in Los Angeles. Both photo l.a. and Lucie Foundation seek to provide an arts initiative in which purveyors of photography, both nonprofit and for-profit, can actively engage with the local and international photography communities. Beyond institutional confines and isolated online interactions, we aspire to bring the Los Angeles photography community together

See image: Norman Seeff – Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe – 19 – Courtesy of Norman Seeff Vintage Photography

The Opening Gala takes place Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 7-10pm. Tickets are $80 in advance or $100 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and The LUCIE Foundation

General admission to photo l.a. is $20 ($15 for students/seniors wih ID) in advance; $25 at the door. A three-day pass is available for $35 online; $40 at the door. Programs are ticketed separately. A limited number of all-access passes, which include admission to the Opening Gala. There are various ticket types ranging up to $450, so be sure to check the website for details. Tickets can be purchased online – CLICK HERE!

What: Photo l.a.
Where: The Reef, LA Mart building (2nd floor) at 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
When: Jan 12, 2017, Thurs Opening Gala – 7-10pm; Jan 13, 14, 2017, Friday – Saturday, 11am-7pm; Jan 15, 2017, Sunday – 11am-6pm; 
Website: http://www.photola.com