"These images are the result of a brief experiment with color film in Imperial Courts, a housing project in Watts, Los Angeles, where I photographed in black and white from 1993 to 2015. The project began in the aftermath of the Rodney King riots, without knowing it would become central to my work or that my bond with the community would grow so deep. When I returned in 2008, I resumed shooting in black and white to maintain cohesion across the years. Still, I briefly explored color—drawn by the vibrant palette of the neighborhood: pastel buildings, bold cars, shifting skies, lush greens. I shot a small series on Portra NC 160 film in 2008 and 2009, but ultimately set the color aside, choosing to continue in black and white. Now, over a decade later, these color images quietly reflect changes—new paint on buildings, aging bodies, growing children. Life moves, even where much stays the same." Dana Lixenberg
