Taking the students down to the river was like dipping our toes into an ancient stream... made of concrete. A strange dichotomy, but a beautiful concept to grapple with.
The students saw the river as a place where graffiti speaks and birds mingle between moss and storm drains.
As we headed down the Glendale Narrows we discovered the dangers of non-point pollution - all the junk that you can't pinpoint to a specific source. It was hard for the students not to roll up their sleeves and start to pick up some trash.
For those who don't believe.... here's proof that there's fish in the river - carp and other species.
We ended the day at the Cornfield Park where the remains of the Zanja Madre, LA's first aqueduct system, stand fenced behind the Metro rails.
Justin Cram - my dear co-producer in this endeavor - asked the students for a word that would describe their first impression of the river. And here it is:
Cool, dirty, big, trashy, resourceful....
That's the river for you.
I love the image of those kids with the binoculars. But don't tell me KCET is falling for graffiti propaganda! Most of those tags are just visual noise! If they are speaking it is gibberish!
The graffiti was beautiful, almost like a museum next the Arroyo Seco.
It is unfortunate that access to a historical artifact to Los Angeles such as the Zanja Madre is restricted by a two rows of fence and a Metro train track.
What has been exciting through the course of this project, so far, has been watching how the students point of view has changed since their initial judgment of the river (in the video above). What I've noticed most, is how astounded they are that there is a river, a river with birds, fish, and people; At the same time, their respect and excitement has grown for the river.
How about that! Pretty cool, but Juan is not a good on-the-spot cinematographer! Plus he still owes for that Giant Pennie he took from me and then "lost" and never paid the $3.00 dollars!
And freaking Many, Edden'deda, and what's her name ruined Just'ins Shot!
Mo - I found the coin and found your money! Next clean up I'll give it to you...
Hello,
I was looking forward to heading down to river for various photo projects
How did you guys get access to the river?
Hi Paul....
There are a few places where there is open access to the river - of you head to the Glendale Narrows, between Los Feliz and downtown Los Angeles, there are bike paths and pocket parks available to the public. Also, up north, in the Sepulveda Basin and all the way down to Long Beach you can find plenty of places to explore the river in all its contradictory glory.
Make sure you visit our final project at:
www.kcet.org/lariver
to find more about the places and the people that are opening the river back to the public.
Abrazos and good luck.