February 13 – May 2, 2010

Organized by MOLAA and curated by Idurre Alonso, Changing the Focus: Latin American Photography (1990-2005) is the first survey exhibition of Latin American photography and photo-based art to be presented in Los Angeles. This exhibition of more than 80 works by 37 artists, profiles the diversity and innovation of contemporary Latin American photography through an array of media from traditional photography to manipulated digital photography, installations, light boxes and photo-based art.

The exhibition opens by questioning the traditional documentary value of photography by exploring the photo-based interpretations of historic landscapes and objects. Photographs presented in this section deal presently with architectural elements and objects which depict the hardships of Latin Americans through metaphorical references.

The exhibition transitions to focus on the internalization of the document, using the body as the stage or the setting for the photograph.  In late 20th century photography, Latin American artists distanced themselves from the anthropological portraits of previous generations which encouraged stereotypes by presenting cultural influences in a very literal way.

The exhibition then moves to focus on the document from an entirely artificial and satirical setting, causing the viewer to question the reality of the subjects presented. These works are theatrical and kitschy in their composition. As Latin American artists became further disillusioned by the states of their political and social structures, they began to experiment with irony in order to denounce political and social injustices.

•Catalogue Specs: 130 page full color catalogue with two essays, by Idurre Alonso and Alejandro Castellanos (Director of Centro de la Imagen, Mexico City).

Exhibition view. Latin American Photography (1990-2005) , MoLAA, 2010.

Photo by Jon Endow

Changing the Focus text panels engl

Cover of catalogue Changing the Focus: Latin American Photography 1990-2005

CTF-BROCHURE

Educational guide Changing the Focus