ONE OF US: PORTRAITS AND PERSONAL STORIES
A PROJECT BY DAVID BLUMENKRANTZ EXPLORING HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES
MAY 24, 2018–JANUARY 27, 2019
One of Us recognizes the dignity and individuality of people who are economically, socially, and psychologically disenfranchised. The exhibition presents portraits and personal stories of people who wished their faces to be seen and their voices to be heard. The images and stories, created collaboratively with their subjects, challenge us to recognize them as more than a faceless societal burden known as the homeless. One of Us desires to change the conversation surrounding homelessness. It arose out of a longstanding collaboration with Wade Trimmer, director of the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. Along with many of the activists, social service providers, and others involved in seeking solutions, we share an interest in humanizing the homeless—a phrase that on reflection seems redundant and offensive, because it implies that the people encountered in this work were not unquestionably and obviously quite human already. So we want to remind the public of this simple fact of a shared humanity, and to nudge visitors toward enacting real, sustainable solutions. Taken collectively, the conversations recorded with more than 40 individuals represent a fairly comprehensive catalog of the causes and symptoms of homelessness, and the many obstacles that make it such a difficult situation to rise above. The most consistent message we heard was a longing for understanding and empathy from the general public and law enforcement. Each person’s story touches on this yearning in some way.
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"The exhibit displays conversations with and photographs of more than 40 individuals, representing a comprehensive catalog of the causes and symptoms of homelessness and the many obstacles that make it such a difficult situation to rise above..."
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"In a new exhibit at the Los Angeles United Methodist Museum of Social Justice are studio-style portraits of about 40 Los Angeles homeless people. On one wall is a question: “Have you sat down and talked to any one of those individuals to find out what their story is?”
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Audio Interviews
Firsthand accounts of homelessness. Recorded by David Blumenkrantz.
Armando
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Brooke
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Jose Ruiz Jr.
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Jerry
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Bobby
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Keith
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Stella
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Daryl
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Videos
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Video compilation of interviews and recorded scenes with the homeless community, including those working on finding solutions.
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Excerpts from interviews conducted by David Blumenkrantz with activists, social service providers and others involved in the battle against homelessness.
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