Bye bye Biscuit

#309 (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

After nearly two years, we've decided to not renew our lease at the Biscuit Company Lofts. It's been a great experience and we could not have picked a better first residence here in Los Angeles. We're going to miss this old building and the friends we've made here.

We've chosen to move on to greener pastures. (Literally, our new place has a yard.) WAP, Inc. is still going strong, just with a new footprint and mailing address.


NW stairwell. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We feel fortunate to have experienced all the interesting people, places and things we did while here. The 90021 Project is a testament to that. The Arts District is a truly unique place even in a city as diverse and unique as L.A. 90021 is a body of work I am extremely proud of. It's now time to move on and start a new chapter.

From now on, every time I drive down the 5, 101 or 110 and see this majestic masonry fortress standing proud on the Eastern edge of downtown as it has for over 80 years, I'll smile.


Archive photo. Circa 1926. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Trigger Street Productions

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

All good things must come to an end. And some ends are more fun than others. The following is definitely the latter.

A shoot I did last Saturday marked the end of my personal, neighborhood project I called The 90021 Project. And it's a shoot that's been in the works for months. Here in the Biscuit Company Lofts, one of our neighbors is Trigger Street Productions. Formed by Kevin Spacey in 1997, it's a production company that has produced titles for stage and screen. Also, it's web site is an online community of established, emerging and aspiring screenwriters, actors and waitstaff. (Remember, this is Hollywood.)

But to me, Trigger Street is Dana, Carter, Andy and Matt. Four guys, on a mission. What that mission is, I am not sure most of the time. But whatever it is, it looks and sounds like a lot of fun. Dana's the boss, Carter is the right hand man, Andy sets up picks and assists with the video editing and Matt is the good-natured nice guy that everyone gives shit to. Ok, just Dana. Dana gives him shit. Nonstop.

We quickly became friends when Pamela and I started up Trivia Night across the street at the local English Pub. They were usually the loudest team at the bar. I immediately liked them.

They're a different kind of Hollywood production company. Namely, they're not in Hollywood. They moved to downtown to get away from the influence as best they could. (Thankfully they didn't mimic Kubrick and move to England. Oh wait, Kevin did. Nevermind...)


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Once I started The 90021 Project, I thought it would be cool to try and illustrate that outsider ethos in a portrait. But at first, I didn't think they'd be up for my idea for the shot. In time, I got the balls up to ask Dana and he loved the idea.

I wanted shots that typified the Trigger Street attiude and highlight each guy's unique personality. Dana's the guy that can make it though a Mardi Gras riot without messing up his hair or losing a cufflink. Carter often times seems to look on at his colleagues with incredulous disbelief. Andy has dashing good looks that nearly always gets him in trouble. And Matt, well... Matt is just Matt.

We had a blast at the shoot despite the 6am call-time. Dana's fiancée, costume designer/stylist Johanna Argan, did an amazing job with the costumes. Hair and make up artist Tania McComas gave Andy a shiner and a fat lip. (Not the first or last to do so I am sure.)

And with this shoot I close The 90021 Project. It's been a great adventure and I've met some wonderful people during the process.

I just hope I don't have to get the guys Hepatitis shots because of shooting this on the 6th St. bridge...


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Credits
Production Manager: Pamela Sunnarborg
Photo Assistant: Jeff Johnson
Wardrobe/Styling: Johanna Argan
Hair/Make up: Tania McComas

Philip Lumbang III

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

A while back I blogged about these cavity-inducing, sweet bears some street artist was putting up all over Los Angeles. I discovered the first on Mill St., right near the studio in the Arts District. After some research, I discovered they were done by artist Philip Lumbang. His web site had his contact e-mail address, so I sent him a message asking him if he'd like to participate in my neighborhood photo project 90021. Not surprisingly, his response was friendly and open to the idea.

So after a few weeks of e-mail and phone exchanges, and a very successful solo show of his work I might add, we set up a time and place for the photoshoot. Knowing he's the type to collaborate (be sure to check out his piece "Bear of the Dead" with Ernesto Yerena) I asked him if he wouldn't mind doing a mural specifically for the shoot. Not surprisingly, his response was friendly and open to the idea.




(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

After securing a permission wall (thanks Yuval!), Phil and I discussed ideas. When I see Phil's street work, the thing that strikes me is how seamlessly it fits into the harsh, gritty environment despite its polar opposite mood. Litter, grime and concrete meets fur, smiles and positivity. And somehow, it works. He's THAT talented. I proposed a concept where the lines between the real world and the land of "Awesome Bears" merges.

We agreed on an idea whereby a sampling of his large, rich cast of characters would be watching him paint them. Even down to the last little raccoon interacting with Phil himself.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

By the time he was wrapping up the mural, I realized the beauty of this phenomenon Phil's created. It's HIM. He is the bears. He is the raccoons, the elephants, the little long-eared rabbit looking for trouble. The best art is always a pure reflection of the artist himself (or herself). Phil is softspoken, laid-back and above all else really, really positive. If you met him in a coffee shop, you'd probably sense that right away. Even without the bears. But he's just one guy and can't be everywhere. But these little critters can. So in a sense, Phil's awesome, positive, laid-back fun attitude is popping up everywhere.

And I bet he's pretty friendly and open to that idea.

Follow Phil on Twitter.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Time-lapse video of the painting/shoot:

Philip Lumbang Paints His Portrait from William Anthony Photography on Vimeo.

Credits
Production Manager: Pamela Sunnarborg
Photo Assistant: Jeff Johnson
Video Producer: Dana Brunetti/Triggerstreet.com
Videographer/Video Editor: Andy McCallie/Triggerstreet.com
Music: "Red Hat" by Ethan Kalar
Special thanks to Yuval Bar-Zemer

Prop Shop Sale

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

There are numerous prop shops in this neighborhood. Which makes sense considering how many productions happen here. There's one particular shop on Colyton St. that opens it's warehouse every now and then to sell off excess inventory.

Steve Grody

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Steve Grody is a multi-tasker. And by multi-tasking I don't mean that he can talk on the phone while cooking. On any given day, Steve may be doing any one of his many passions.

For starters, he's one of (if not THE) foremost experts on Los Angeles graffiti. He wrote Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and Art. Out of his home base in the Arts District (he's lived here for 23 years) he spends a lot of time wandering areas of L.A. most people willfully try to avoid, like dark alleys and wash basins, looking for graffiti. He's the John James Audubon of graffiti. The Indiana Jones of street art. He can tell you who wrote what where, in what style and maybe even why.

And then on other days, he's a martial arts instructor. Since 1973, he's been studying and practicing forms of martial arts like Gung-Fu, Jeet Kune Do (under Bruce Lee's protogé Dan Inosanto) and Lameco Eskrima. And did I mention he was inducted as a Master Instructor of the Year for the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2000?

Oh, and he's an accomplished swing dancer. Really. If Steve told me, tomorrow, that he trained with NASA to be a Shuttle astronaut, given his past accomplishments, I'd have to believe him.

I met Steve through a mutual friend. We met in his studio just off Alameda St. and we talked and took pictures for a couple of hours. More talk than pictures. He's got the gift of gab and when you mix that with my inability to shut up you have a resulting firestorm of conversation. Great conversation. When you talk to Steve you feel like you're talking to Wikipedia. And I love these kind of people. Never a dull moment. He's never at a loss for words or experience.

Yeah, so... you call yourself a multi-tasker?


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Markel

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This is Markel. Markel with a "K." You see, for the first few weeks that I knew him, I was mistakenly calling him "Marcel" with a very incorrect "C." Now really, look at him, does he look like a Marcel? No. Of course not. I am an idiot.

Markel works security in my building. I see him nearly every time I enter or exit the elevator. At first he didn't smile much at me. Probably because he thought I was an idiot for calling him some French name. Eventually, I must have done or said something funny because one day, everything moved upwards and he gave me the biggest grin I'd ever seen. And just when you think that's big, make him laugh—off the charts.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Markel is really a gentle giant. Six feet seven inches of pure nice guy. Which is why it was so hard, a few months ago, to see him go through what he went through. You see, Markel almost died. One day, that smile didn't show up for work even though the rest of him did. He had a fever and Frank, our maintenance guy, told him he looked like crap and should go home for some rest. A week or so later he was in the ICU in an induced coma. The doctors didn't know what it was but the only way to keep the fever and pneumonia from killing him was to induce the sleep. Worst of all, this fine gentle man didn't get a chance to see his wife before they sent him to slumber.

Thankfully, after some time, he pulled through. But I don't think it was luck. Markel is a strong guy. Someone of his size isn't just ALL smiles. He's a husband and father. He's got some fight in him. And this fight was worth it.

A tenant in the building started a donation fund to help with the enormous medical bills. The wonderful people of this community stepped up and helped the guy out to pay those medical bills. Medical bills that were worth every penny to bring that smile back to the front desk.

Just don't call him Marcel.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Credits
Photo Assistant: Jeff Johnson

Amber-like (02)

Near 5th & Hewitt (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I think I have a new theme here.

"Amber-like" (01)

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Stand on the Fourth St bridge, look up and it's magically 1928.

Interestingly, the word "electricity" comes from the New Latin ēlectricus, meaning "amber-like."

Dreaming on Mill St.

Mill St. between 7th & Industrial (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

UPDATE 8/3/09:
It's the work of artist Phil Lumbang. Thank you Phil. Thank you very much. So glad you chose our neighborhood.

Unwelcome

Stencil on S. Hewitt St. / Unneeded apostrophe on E. 3rd St (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

These are constant reminders that we live in an cultural ecotone.

Lily

Flowers at 5th & Alameda (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I promised myself that the 90021 project would document all aspects of this neighborhood, good and bad. We had something terrible happen here last Friday to a girl named Lily Burk.


As found on Sunday. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

UPDATE: 7/29/09

A makeshift memorial has materialized. While there I spoke to Pepper. He said the area's homeless keep the candles lit all night. He was also adamant that the person who did this is not "from here."


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Pepper

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

In some circles, photographing the homeless is considered cliché. There—I said it. But yesterday morning, I met a man I had to photograph. Had to. I formally met Pepper, aka "The Mayor."

I'd heard a lot about Pepper. I was told by some long-time residents that despite his outward appearances, he's a great guy. Which made me think about how some of the world's most infamous assholes actually look like decent people. So let's agree that bookcover judging has a poor record. I'd seen Pepper around. He has a swagger not unlike George Jefferson's. And it's a swagger even Weezie would be proud of.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Pepper is truly an institution around here. His stomping grounds seem to be fluid, though I am told he doesn't stray far from the Los Angeles River. He has many names. "The Mayor, Sheriff and Mouth of the South" to name just a few. A neighbor friend who has lived here in the Industrial/Arts District for 12 years finally introduced me to Pepper. And I'd learn there was so much more under this bookcover than I could have imagined.

Pepper has lived here for 22 years. Yes, TWENTY-TWO. And when he first came here it was a very different, far more dangerous area. Originally from Iowa, he was disowned by his father for marrying "outside his race." He moved to the South where he picked up his strong southern drawl. Sometime thereafter, he ended up in L.A.

As I spoke to him, I could tell he was sizing me up. Yeah I was a friend of a friend, but someone with this amount of street smarts doesn't take anything on its word. I asked if I could take his photo. He grinned his remaining teeth silently and immediately grabbed three dolls he had in his shopping cart and held them in his arms. He was proud. It was then that I noticed his second-hand shirt. An ambulance driver's uniform, probably acquired from one of the many film prop shops around here.

He went on to tell me that some people think he looks like Brad Pitt. (I'll admit there's an undeniable resemblance underneath all the wear.) He also proudly told me that he has starred in at least eight Lowrider magazine spreads with "hot chicks."


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I told him I'd like to photograph him again someday. His response was something to the effect of a friendly, "I don't do nuthin' for free." Which then led me to ask him what he needed that I could give him as payment. To which he responded "I don't need nuthin'."

So, as a sign of gratitude, I told him I'd print one of these photographs, put it in a nice frame and post it to a utility pole in the neighborhood with the caption "Employee of the Month."

He liked that idea. He liked it a lot.

Paul Solomon

Crossing the 6th St. bridge with the Biscuit and TOY as backdrop. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The first time I met Paul Solomon I was looking into a lease at the Biscuit Company Lofts. I had just tugged on the BCL office door only to find it locked. They had closed a half hour prior. It was then that I heard a soft-spoken, "Can I help you?" I turned to to find myself looking directly into the chest of an extremely tall man that didn't match the voice.

Paul Solomon is a partner in Linear City, L.L.C., the company that repurposed, among others, a toy factory and biscuit company into some of Los Angeles' finest live/work loft buildings. I happen to live/work in one now. (After, of course, I learned the office hours.)

As time would go by, I'd see Paul out and about in the neighborhood and began to notice that his hair seemed to be growing uncontrollably. And growing. And growing. At some point, I said to him, "... don't cut that hair until I get a portrait of you." A few weeks later, when the coiff reached apogee, we scheduled a shoot. And by then, the fro was in full glory. I knew I wanted a car. But not just any car. A car that not only fit the style but could actually accommodate the monstrous mane. A 1971 Buick Skylark convertable with a few patches of bondo fit the bill. The results were—and I don't say this lightly—epic.

Thanks Paul.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Police Walk

Christy, Cougar (in honorary LAPD garb) and Fausto. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Once a week, a small group of Arts District residents meet up for a sunset walk through the neighborhood with the LAPD Senior Lead Officer for our precinct. While the walk is designed to keep communication open between residents and law enforcement, it is also, conveniently, a really good excuse to go for a stroll with neighbors at one of the nicest times of the day.


John, Jimmy and Noah. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Usually numbering around eight to twelve participants from various buildings like the Biscuit/TOY, Molino and Factory Place Lofts, the group roams in no set path for about an hour. We interface with residents and generally show a presence in a neighborhood once considered abandoned. It's a nice walk, and I always learn something new about the area I didn't before. (For example, did you know the old Santa Fe depot building that now houses SCI-ARC building is as long as the Empire State Building is tall? Thanks Noah!)


Unknown city worker, Officer Owens and Terrell. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I usually take my camera. It is the Magic Hour after all, and there's always something interesting to see. The best part, however, is the beer and brats at Wurstküche afterwards... Public service can be fun. And filling!

Buck and a quarter

Corner of Seaton & Palmetto St. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Bl!sss Magazine

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

My portrait of painter/neighbor Lisa Solberg was published in the Apr. '09 issue of Bl!sss Magazine.

Makeshift Memorial

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Found this impromptu shrine at the fork at 4th St. & 4th Pl. on the 4th St. Bridge. No name. No photos. Just plastic flowers, candles, photos of Jesus Christ, a cracked coconut in a pile of uncooked rice and, for some reason, fireworks.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Leaflets

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Whenever a location shoot is scheduled in a public space, the private, non-profit organization Film L.A., Inc. places these labels on or near the areas affected. Film L.A. Inc. coordinates and processes filming permits for on-location motion picture, television and commercial production in the Los Angeles region.

And sometimes our neighborhood is so covered with these things it looks like a military aircraft dropped propaganda leaflets. As mentioned before, this area is used for the production of thousands film and TV productions. (See Grey's Anatomy and CSI:NY)

Though at times these ubiquitous notices resemble litter, they do serve an important purpose to local residents. Without them, the late night explosions, flood lights and car chases would seem a bit odd.

Amy

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Amy is bartender at The Royal Clayton's. She is also an aspiring actress. She came over for some headshots and I asked for a few shots in the stairwell of our building. There was something intriguing about the combination of the green dress, hazel eyes, black hair, bricks and the chartreuse door.

Oh, and the motorcycle boots.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Credits
Hair/Makeup: Pamela Bjorkland

Underneath the Bridge

Fourth St. overpass over Santa Fe St. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The writing on the wall

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Often, I feel like an archeologist in this neighborhood. And the hieroglyphs around here are graffiti. But sometimes the message is loud and clear. This evening, I saw this exchange at Santa Fe and 7th St. I know there is an etiquette in this culture—and disrespect like this is not taken well.

I myself am not fluent in this language. But I do know that some of this work is incredibly beautiful (as I wrote about here), and like all street art, accessible. There are no formal opening nights or wine served in plastic cups. It just appears overnight. Like the rain here in Southern California, you wake up and it's done. And people like me are left to brush away the dust and try and decipher what it all means from afar, after the fact.

But this message is unmistakable. And I look forward to the next chapter.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

UPDATE: I've been informed the original piece was done by Revok.

Lisa Solberg live painting at Andaz Opening

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Our good friend and neighbor Lisa Solberg was featured at the Andaz Grand Opening and Vanity Fair Domino Benefit in West Hollywood on February 20. She performed a live painting in the lobby while guests mingled. Guests included Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Prince among many others.

I brought my 4x5 camera to get a nice big portrait of the Lisa and her work. Moments after setting up the camera, I was informed by the head of the hotel's security that someone on the mezzanine was nervous about my camera. I looked up to see Prince's security detail giving me stink eye. Unbeknownst to me, and by no effort on my part, I am the world's first and only large format paparazzi.

The Producers

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

While on a recent dusk bike ride, I discovered a bus/trailer combo parked on E 5th St. behind Urth Cafe. After obeying the call-to-action and going to the website, I discovered that it's for a pretty cool project, "The 1 Second Film." Have a look.

Spell check please.

Corner of Mateo St & Willow St. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This lettering looks really old. Like it's been there a LONG time.

ARTifacts

Found, as-is, on Willow St. near Santa Fe. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

You can often find the remnants of photoshoots all over this area. I find it fun to try and imagine what kind of shoot occurred in each of them.

Industrial St. - Widelux View

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The Widelux is officially out of storage.