Avo Tavitian & Daido Moriyama: Los Angeles x Shinjuku
Released in conjunction with an exhibition of the same title, Los Angeles x Shinjuku presents a compelling dialogue between Daido Moriyama’s ongoing Shinjuku, Tokyo series and Avo Tavitian’s photographs of Los Angeles, spanning over three decades.
Both Tavitian and Moriyama share a commitment to documenting the ordinary, capturing fleeting moments on 35mm film while embracing the inherent unpredictability of the medium. Their work reflects a shared fascination with urban environments and a deep curiosity about the mundane. Through their lenses, they explore the intersections of change and continuity, using photography as a means to navigate questions of belonging and identity in an ever-evolving world.
Curated by Maya Ishiwata and Bjarne Bare, Los Angeles x Shinjuku marks the debut exhibition at the newly launched Nazraeli Showroom in Downtown Los Angeles, opening later this year.
About the Authors
Avo Tavitian, born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1954, found his path to photography deeply intertwined with his evolving surroundings. After relocating to the Eastern United States with his family in the late 1960s following the 1967 Middle East conflict, Tavitian experienced the disconnection of being an outsider during his formative years in New Jersey and New York City. This perspective heavily influenced his photographic practice, particularly after moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.
Daido Moriyama, born in Osaka, Japan, in 1938, is a seminal figure in contemporary photography, renowned for his striking black-and-white street photography that encapsulates the pulse of urban life. Throughout his career, he has chronicled Tokyo’s subcultures, focusing especially on the vibrant and often chaotic ward of Shinjuku. His work is defined by a raw, spontaneous aesthetic, with high-contrast tones and grainy textures, exploring themes such as identity, memory, and the transience of everyday life.
Avo Tavitian & Daido Moriyama: Los Angeles x Shinjuku
through January 2025
The Reef – Nazraeli Showroom, Los Angeles – Usa
