Arts, Etc.Fine Art

Boarders shred in student gallery

Senior photojournalism major Helen Arase and Photography Department Manager Kevin Bowman place one of senior photography major Gabriel De Alba’s photographs on Nov. 11. Arase curated the exhibition, “Momentum,” as a part of her internship with Visiting Professor of Photography Stacey McCarroll Cutshaw. The photograph features De Alba’s friend, Jay Munson, skateboarding in San Francisco. “Momentum” runs in the Ground Floor Gallery through Nov. 30. / photo by Karla Rendon
Senior photojournalism major Helen Arase and Photography Department Manager Kevin Bowman place one of senior photography major Gabriel De Alba’s photographs on Nov. 11. Arase curated the exhibition, “Momentum,” as a part of her internship with Visiting Professor of Photography Stacey McCarroll Cutshaw. The photograph features De Alba’s friend, Jay Munson, skateboarding in San Francisco. “Momentum” runs in the Ground Floor Gallery through Nov. 30. / photo by Karla Rendon

Arielle Torrez
Staff Writer

Senior photography major Gabriel De Alba displayed photos of his friends performing skateboarding tricks in the from of bowl skating, grinding and more as a part of an exhibit titled “Momentum” at the Ground Floor Gallery in Miller Hall last week.

Each photo depicted De Alba’s friends performing a variety of skate tricks, putting an emphasis on facial expression and raw emotion.

“I skateboard and enjoy reading skateboard magazines,” De Alba said. “I like the artistic direction that other photographers take, and I wanted to do that on my own. I watch my friends skate, look around and see what the best angle is and go from there.”

The photos are all taken on either a residential or street setting, creating a form of street photography. Each photo looks as if it is frozen in time but also includes blur in the hands and streetlights.

“I really enjoyed the perspective of the photos,” said junior music major Garrison Holder. “Almost every photo was shot looking up at the skater. It was like looking at the Earth’s perspective of the skateboard.”

The sweat on the skaters’ faces brings emotion into the photos. Trash and graffiti are seen in the background, giving the photos more of a raw feel.

Classmates and friends attended the exhibit in support of De Alba and expressed their appreciation of his work as they walked through the gallery.

“Gabe inspires me because of the amount he takes photos outside of school,” said senior photography major Helen Arase. “His work inspired me to put on a student gallery. When Gabe talks about the photos, it’s like he’s living in that exact moment. He is so passionate about what he does.”

The perspective of each photo is different in its own way. Photos include tricks on a public street, a tennis court, a glass wall and more.

The Ground Floor Gallery is located in Miller Hall.

Arielle Torrez can be reached at arielle.torrez@laverne.edu.

Arielle Torrez
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