A New Yorker Who Loves Los Angeles

Hard Copy will open finally Jan 23rd

Let’s try this again— HARD COPY LOS ANGELES now opening tonight Thursday, January 23rd from 6pm - 9pm.

I’m a New Yorker who loves Los Angeles. And it’s been a tough couple weeks out here to say the least. But at the same time incredible to see everyone rally around each other. Always knew I wanted to bring this show here. When Chantal Webber and I spoke back in July 2024 about bringing Hard Copy to her gallery I jumped at the opportunity. It’s been an incredible experience getting to work together. The show features the work of many artists that are local to LA. All of which I genuinely really like and am so grateful they trusted me.

I hope you’ll come downtown Thursday night Jan 23 to Webber Gallery and see what we’ve made.

If you didn’t know me well— you might even think I lived in LA. I don’t. Never have. 25 years in money taking Manhattan.

(Xeroxed photograph by Quentin deBriey, on view at Webber)

Over the last 17 years I’ve built a big incredible group of friends out West. Helped to make it feel like a second home. One that is drastically different from NY. At the same time— like a kindred best friend. There’s a core of creative and like minded people here. Collaboration comes naturally. Because of that— I’ve always felt at home in LA.

I spent the week of January 6th installing the show. The fires and destruction escalated everyday. But I was determined to keep going.

(xeroxed collage by Robert Nethery, showing at Webber Gallery)

(Takashi Homma)

Every night I came home my dog and I smelled of a strangely familiar burnt ash. It reminded me of what lower Manhattan smelled like. Those months after 9/11.

(Xerox Prints, John Divola, top, David Black, bottom, Carlos Jaramillo, right)

Few months after moving to Manhattan— my view down Third Avenue was of the towers falling. Tried to volunteer. Donate blood. Was told there was no one to rescue. Nor survived to get said blood. Two black outs and hurricane Sandy. The housing crisis that crashed the economy. I stayed all through Covid. I saw my city and its inhabitants down and out. And then rally around each other. Every time.

Just like what I’m witnessing now happening in LA. It gives me hope to see all my friends volunteering, pets reunited or adopted. I know there’s a long way to go. But I believe in Los Angeles. And the people who live there.

I’m not saying I know what anyone else is going through. Only that I have deep empathy. And in some small way can relate.

I’ve spent almost two decades being rescued by Los Angeles. Cures my winter time blues. I’ve loved and lost bad. LA saved me. An understatement to say the light here is unique. Everything is photographable. Made the best pictures of my career here.

But LA needs us now. To be resilient. Go to restaurants and bars and shops and art openings and sporting events. People that work there need you. Let’s show all the fairs, events, corporations, tourists they can come back and support my favorite city of Los Angeles. I hope I see tonight, Thursday, Jan 23rd 6pm - 9pm at Webber Gallery. 939 South Sant Fe Ave, Los Angeles.

I designed a limited edition zine for this exhibition kindly published by Webber Gallery. Printed here in Los Angeles. Proceeds will go to Baby2Baby for those affected by the fires. We’ll have copies available at the opening tonight. And online following.