L.A. River Path, 2015

Condensed image of the LA River bike path with bicycles and birds in the foreground, a bridge and a water tower in the background, horse in between. Printed at Self Help Graphics as part of Special Project - Printmaking Survey of the Los Angeles River, 2015. Artist Statement (Alex Fridrich): My print began with taking photos of the Los Angeles River over the course of several bike rides from Long Beach. My intention was to document everything that surprised me on my first trips along the river to downtown. I had never expected the urban ranches, horses, or wild grapevines. The empty podiums, convenient bike stands, and sculpted concrete intrigued my sense of design and history. Condensing my photos into a single landscape, I invented a panoramic version of these experiences. The collages became drawings which I etched into a copper plate as line work and aquatint. The resulting print describes my encounters as a single scene emphasizing the extreme human development of this natural tributary. With all of the progress taking place in and around this particular waterway I expect changes to occur soon. I am curious to see what happens and to continue documenting my experiences on the Los Angeles River.