Desert Christ Park
Photographs by Ryan Herz
April 11th-May 24th, 2009
Opening Reception Saturday April 11, 7-10pm
complimentary valet parking
Overlooking the high desert town of Yucca Valley in Southern California, Desert Christ Park features larger-than-lifesize, snow-white sculptures portraying scenes of Christ's life and teachings. They were created by artist-sculptor Antone Martin a half-century ago as a world peace shrine. Martin died in 1961 at the age of 74 after completing more than 50 statues. The individual figures weigh anywhere from three to sixteen tons each. Martin started sculpting the steel-reinforced, concrete figures during the height of the A-bomb scare in the mid-1940s, hoping to construct pieces that that could withstand a nuclear bomb.
In 1968, photographer Ryan Herz was on his way to the Giant Rock UFO Convention when he came across a small sign pointing him off the highway to Desert Christ Park. He was struck by the passion of whoever had made the creation of the place his life’s work. Ryan’s Catholic training, while giving him a great love and respect for the images of religion, was far behind him. But the juxtaposition of a benevolent Jesus in the secular present was very appealing.
At the End of the Pavement: Churches of the American South
Photographs by R.H. Sturges
Throughout his many peregrinations, R.H.Sturges became aware of how quickly the world of his youth had changed. “Many of the wooden churches had been bricked over and lost their charm and character with their modernization. Other churches were swallowed up by the Kudzu vines, or simply left to rot. Some have disappeared completely. Although there is a sense of sadness to the loss, there was another feeling that overpowered it. It was the feeling of peace and tranquility and I try to convey that in my photographs.”
drkrm
2121 San Fernando Road Suite 3
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Tel 323.223.6867
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