Lilith Carolina Ferreira - Sin Rumbo
About the Exhibition: Sin Rumbo translates to “without direction” and originally was the title of a zine Carolina intends to make. This exhibition is a vision of what that zine could be, its title referring to the fact that youth subcultures are typically viewed as being a waste of time and young adults are often judged as having no direction in life. In Sin Rumbo, Carolina chooses to take back the youth culture narrative by highlighting the positive moments of these subcultures while acknowledging there can be issues in all communities. There is a duality in everything and her photography seeks that fine balance. Her photos will live on as memories and archives of these LA subcultures for years.
Through these images, Carolina highlights her chosen family, different communities, and people that are in her life. Getting through the last couple of years has been rough on everyone, but the people she is surrounded by show her love, patience, and space for growth that she didn’t know before. Learning from her community and understanding human complexity have solidified her values and beliefs.
These works speak to the reality that people have goals and dreams they want to achieve whether outsiders care to look deeper or not. These communities know where they are, what they have lived, and have an idea of where they are going. As long as we have each other, the rest will fall into place. Sin Rumbo is chosen because it opens up creative freedom in what a zine or exhibition is without having to focus on one thing. The zine will cover a a variety of themes in each volume and Carolina has plans to include playlists curated by people in her photos and herself.
About the Artist: Carolina is a visual storyteller and loves photographing moments of joy and excitement. She joined Las Fotos Project in the Spring of 2019 and since then has found a way to connect with her passion for art and storytelling in her daily life. Growing up in East Hollywood, Carolina would wake up at 4:30 am to catch the bus on Santa Monica & Western. This allowed her the ability to explore the diverse stories that span across the city, from the east side to the west side.
Her passion for photography comes from genuinely believing everyone's story is important and realizing documentation is crucial to controlling the narrative that Black, Indigenous, and POC want to share instead of the stories told for us.
She captures the people in her life with care and through a documentary lens. Spending time with her loved ones, walking around the city, going to shows, and her love of live music influence her artistic practice. She believes that everyone’s stories are important and can offer insight and help to others. She believes that we’re all mosaics made up of our own experiences. The good, the bad, and the personal connections are what makes portraits and photos more intimate. Through her photography, Carolina takes control of the stories told about her community (whatever the scene might be: roller skating, music shows, danza, etc.).
*This exhibition is on display at Truly LA located at 216 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Julio, Watts Cave, 2022, 16 x 20 inches.
Kram, Watts Cave, 2022, 16 x 20 inches.
Manny, Watts Cave, 2022, 16 x 20 inches. Manny, singer for SoCal ska bands such as La Pobreska and La Muerte, puts on very lively performances every time. Manny is a great artist and performer that consistently shows support for others whether it’s band members, promotors, photographers— todos. Siempre comparte la importancia de la importancia del bienestar y hacer lo que nos haga feliz.
Nena, East LA, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. Belvedere Skatepark was one of the first skateparks I visited when I began skating. Nena met me a couple days into when I was going through some big life changes. I’ll never forget that after sharing some of what I was going through she said, “You just need to skate to take your mind off it,” and it felt like everyday after that I’d be invited to skate. If you’ve seen Nena roller skate you know she gets down. I was always so eager to skate with her because it was inspiring to see what could be done on skates. Grateful for that time and care.
Skarencia Stadium, South Central LA Series, 2022, 4 prints, 8 x 10 inches. Morning after a show at the infamous Skarencia Stadium. Some cleaning and chilling with homies, the peaceful moments that I appreciate the most. These friends have shown me the power that I can hold by standing strong in who I am. They’ve shown me loyalty and the importance of confidence, along with so much more. Some of the greatest musical minds are pictured here. Loving people through it all because we all make mistakes, and we aren’t just our mistakes is a lesson that they’ve shown me over and over again. Slowly accepting it and realizing it’s helped me grow in my acceptance of myself and others.
Bailando, Pico-Union, 2023, 16 x 20 inches. Capturing smiles is my favorite thing to do with a camera. To see these smiles is a sweet feeling. To create photos that can bring happy memories to folks is an honor to me.
El Caney, East Hollywood, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. This little store is in the middle of nuestro vecindario (our neighborhood). Again, many memories walking to this store or when I first began practicing driving here since it was so nearby and had little streets. Here, I’d gotten to know the cashiers and run into former classmates often because a handful of us lived in the area. At some point during everything happening in 2020, they boarded up the front and today you go in through the back door. Since East Hollywood is also rapidly changing I chose to take photos of some places that are meaningful to me before they’re gone.
Bella, El Mercadito, 2021, 16 x 20 inches. From a prom photo shoot I did with Bella, Christina, and Ivan last year. Bella reached out with the idea to take these photos in front of this Virgencita. I absolutely said yes, not only because it’s Bella, but also because el Mercadito is another place that I would go to a lot growing up. My dentist was nearby and in the summer especially, I'd crave some fresas con crema from here. Such an exciting experience to create these new memories together.
Heaven, East Hollywood, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. Heaven, because there are so many food possibilities in this intersection. It’s right down the block from where I grew up and so easily accessible. I have happy memories walking here with friends and family to pick up some pizza or Subway, or get something quick from the 7-Eleven. Want some Chinese food? It’s there, too, along with the ever-changing stand in that corner. I remember trying to walk my cat once down this hill and waiting outside the Subway that’s nearby while my dad grabbed the food. Heaven.
Lemon Grove, East Hollywood, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. Lemon Grove Rec. Center. I began going to Lemon Grove in 2008 for everything from summer camp to piano and karate lessons. This little park helped raise me. The playground pictured isn’t the one that’s there anymore. Everything’s changing in the neighborhood so it’s nice to have some photos to look back on.
Cheers, Sur Centro LA, 2022, 16 x 20 inches.
Chido, South Central LA, 2022, 16 x 20.
Amistad, South Central LA, 2022, 16 x 20 inches.
El Pit, South Central LA, 2022, 16 x 20. Skanking the night away in a backyard—it’s not for everyone. Come in with an open mind and ready to dance. La Nueva Onda shows have lineups made up of new bands and OG bands. It’s a production that offers opportunities for different types of artists and creators. Always a good time.
Christina, East LA, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. I met Christina through roller skating back when I’d attend more meetups. There were a good amount of roller skaters, even a former group called “Fooleras de Los Angeles.” This group would highlight different roller skaters all over LA being badass. The group isn’t around anymore—life keeps going and priorities change—but, for me this era is always a great time to look back on. The supportive skating community, being out in the sun almost everyday, meeting new and great people whom I still hang out with now—it’s a great time. Christina is one of those people, I’ve seen them achieve so much and am always looking forward to all their future achievements. A genuine soul with nothing but good intentions. Very wise and thoughtful. I am happy we continue to support one another through the years.
Alicia, Echo Park, 2020, 16 x 20 inches. Echo Park skatepark. I remember going through the gate by the freeway the first couple times. I remember seeing Alicia kill it at every skatepark she’s gone to and how she is a sick street skater as well. Alicia is a kind friend and watching her skate is almost like watching a dance.
Niña del Valle, 2021, 16 x 20 inches. Stephanie Barboza, community organizer and one of my bestest friends. My beautiful friend in the aisles of the 99¢ store she grew up going to. 99¢ stores are staples in our childhood memories. Stephanie walked me through different places she grew up going to in the Valley. She was one of the first friends to show me that I can be loved through my ugliest days. I am very grateful for a love and friendship like ours and for the lessons learned through it. Stephanie’s shown me to be patient and kind with myself.
Travesuras, 818, 2021, 16 x 20 inches.
Angel, South Central LA, 2023, 16 x 20. From a photo booth I set up at a La Nueva Onda show. This was a costume party show in early January. Shoutout to L.N.O for being supportive of my art and of me always.
Momentos de Convivencia, South Central LA, 2022, 16 x 20 inches. Bailando y skankeando, me encanta saber que estas son las memorias que tendremos. Merecemos divertirnos y disfrutar de esta vida. Hay tantas cosas tristes o frustrantes fuera de nuestro control entonces es importante divertirte lo más que puedas y mientras puedas. Este backyard es como un mini-escape para mi y para los chavos que atienden.
Puro Pinche SKA, South Central LA, 2023, 16 x 20 inches. Esos momentos cuando no importa nada más que bailar en el pit. Shows put on by La Nueva Onda and at Skarencia Stadium are especially fun.