Since late 2006, I’ve been taking photographs on a six-block stretch of Broadway St. in downtown Los Angeles. For a photographer with an eye for detail and an affinity for the ebb and flow of urban street life, this is fertile ground. Once considered a jewel of the city, the Historic Theater District located between 3rd and 9th streets has in recent years become a rundown stretch of partially or completely abandoned office spaces and sweatshops overlooking a retail and wholesale marketplace. The area is filled with jewelry, electronics and clothing shops. The sidewalks and shops are populated by a multi-cultural working class street life characterized by an informal, largely unincorporated rhythm that seems incongruous with much of the rest of Los Angeles. Norteno music blares from speakers on sidewalks next to shops selling dresses for weddings and quinceaneras. The well-worn sidewalks are swept with straw brooms, as metal security doors are raised and lowered each dusk and dawn. With a fairly large concentration of homeless people and street hustlers mixed in among the bicycle cops, makeshift newsstands and ice cream carts, today’s Broadway has the atmosphere of urban environments in what is often referred to as the “Third World.” Looking at the dilapidated storefronts and general impoverishment revealed in some of my early photographs, one colleague cynically described the area as “post-apocalyptic.”
In keeping with nationwide trends toward urban migration, city officials and private businesspeople have joined forces in a movement called Bringing Back Broadway, and their efforts at gentrification are well under way. The goal of this group is to return Broadway, situated just to the east of the more upscale downtown, to a position of prominence as an economic and entertainment center. The trolley cars will be back, and folks will stroll the avenues by night, frequenting swanky restaurants and trendy boutiques. The success of Bringing Back Broadway hinges on many factors, none more crucial than the theaters themselves. Of the eleven historic theaters found between 3rd and 9th streets, only one, The Orpheum, is fully operational. Another is in use as a Spanish-language church, while two others are used sparingly as movie houses and concert halls as they undergo renovations. At least two are being used as warehouses for retail outlets that open from the sidewalk under neglected marquis. In the meantime, abandoned office spaces are being renovated into pricey lofts and condos. The art-deco style Eastern Building stands somewhat incongruously at Broadway and 9th streets, looking like something right out of 1920s Manhattan. A mere twenty-five yards from a giant old building housing dozens of sweatshops, the Eastern building is both a reminder of the glorious past and a harbinger of the neighborhood’s projected renewed glory. Condominiums are selling for prices as high as a million dollars (Johnny Depp’s in one of the penthouse suites).
As wonderful as this will be for the image and economic well being of Los Angeles, all of this proposed development will likely and inevitably bring about the displacement of thousands of people that currently fill the sidewalks daily, or rent street level shops. My fascination has been with documenting the vibrant street life on Broadway as it is today, but may not be for long.
This coming Thursday (12/10) David Blumenkrantz will have his series "Broadway" shown during the Downtown Art Walk at Take My Picture gallery (run by local photographer Gary Leonard). Broadway was the premiere street here in Downtown Los Angeles for more than 50 years is also one of the oldest street in the city (1849). In the hey days, movie/theater palaces such as Palace Theatre, Million Dollar Theater and Orpheum Theatre reign the street. Today it has fallen into disrepair but in the past few years there's been signs of revivals. Currently "Bring Back Broadway" is spearheaded by Councilman Jose Huizar. If you want to get an ideas of the glamorous movie houses of the past, the LA Conservatory hosts "Last Remaining Seats" every year where you can buy tickets to watch classic movies in classic movie houses. Be warn : these sell out pretty quick !
So this Thursday night while you're checking out the art during Art Walk or ice-skating under the stars in Pershing Square, take a moment to wander down to Take My Photo gallery and check out David Blumenkrant's photos there.
Take My Picture
860 S. Broadway (at 9th Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
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