Since early October, the Glendale Central Library has been hosting ProjectingLA, an atmospheric photographic exhibit in its “ReflectSpace” gallery that will run until Dec. 8. Curated by three distinguished voices in the field — Julia Dean, Ara Oshagan, and Anahid Oshagan — the exhibition showcases over thirty artists whose work captures the city’s fast-changing landscape, highlighting the cultural and environmental transitions that shape Los Angeles today.
Each photograph on display tells a part of LA’s multifaceted story, revealing moments of resilience, beauty, and struggle. With Los Angeles currently undergoing significant change, from grappling with homelessness and addiction crises to experiencing shifts in its class and society, ProjectingLA serves as both a historical record and a call for reflection. The curators’ mission is to capture and share these moments in new ways that engage viewers on a deeply personal level.
Visitors appreciated the exhibit’s impact. Penelope, a frequent participant in the Glendale library’s art events, praised the ReflectSpace gallery for consistently presenting thought-provoking works. “I’ve always enjoyed it,” she explained. “I learned something from [“Fentanyl in the Streets,” by Sarah Reingewirtz]. It’s unfortunate that the LAPD has to learn what a fentanyl pulse feels like in order to recognize overdoses, but it’s the reality.” Her reflection symbolizes the unfortunate side of ProjectingLA since the photograph depicts painful yet vital issues affecting the neighborhood.
For some guests, the exhibit was their first experience with specific artists and themes. Another guest, Lucia Diaz, particularly loved Wednesday Aja’s piece “Caught in the Act”. “The title caught my eye,” she stated. “It reminds me of how no matter what we do—right or wrong—there will always be eyes on us.” The photo made her think about the idea of being “under the spotlight,” which feels especially relevant in a city like Los Angeles, where public perception often interacts with identity and outward expression.
Beyond these individual stories, ProjectingLA embodies the idea of ReflectSpace: a place for art that connects deeply with current issues, inviting both personal reflection and collective dialogue. It’s clear that ProjectingLA doesn’t shy away from challenging narratives but seeks to engage the public by bringing raw truths to the surface.
Ara Oshagan discussed the importance of photography in the derealization of our city, “The show is packed with astounding work including two Pulitzer Prize winners and very accomplished photographers working for the LA Times and other newspapers, and also deeply committed photographers who take photos because they are moved to do so—their view of LA just as impactful and intriguing,” Oshagan explained. “Our city is vibrant and alive and composed of a vast kaleidoscopic array of people and stories. We tend to forget that in our everyday life.”. Their combined thoughts and knowledge have helped build an exhibit that is both contemporary and timeless, appealing to a wide audience in Los Angeles and beyond.
As visitors circulate through the gallery’s imagery, ProjectingLA reinforces the function of art as a reflection of society. At a time when change seems unstoppable, this exhibit reminds us of the necessity of recording the present—a tribute to the challenges and resilience that separates Los Angeles from the rest of the West Coast.
Jojo Mkhitaryan can be reached at [email protected].