Hollywood: A Live Show Daily

Camera in hand, I explore Hollywood with an open mind and an open heart, searching for the face behind the mask that Hollywood presents to the world. On Oscar’s day I see the crowds looking for Brangelina or hoping to get a glimpse of the notorious Nicholson smile. But I never waste a moment looking for celebrities. Rather, I photograph the Snake Man wrapping his boa constrictor around children in exchange for a tip. Turning around, I spot Snoopy the Dog and Barney the Dinosaur chatting in front of The Erotic Museum, no doubt comparing notes about their record-breaking day of business. Down the block, a street vendor sells bacon-wrapped hot dogs in front of Frederick's of Hollywood and the emaciated, lingerie-clad manikins seem to want a bite. Then, surprisingly, it starts to rain and I notice several actress types in high-heeled, leather boots splashing around on the stars embedded in the Walk of Fame. In other words, it’s a magical day, especially for a photographer. Marilyn Monroe appears in many of my Hollywood photographs: in the form of a celebrity impersonator; an image on a coffee mug in a gift shop; a wax figure on display, etc. But Monroe is not merely a playful allusion to the Hollywood mythos, but also a reference to its darker side. Do people forget that her death was not pretty? Reality often contrasts with the glamorous image that Hollywood projects of itself. (Of course, the same can be said about the images that Hollywood projects of the world in general, which is the broader issue.) While fantasy can be a lot of fun, and perhaps even lucrative, I remain a great believer in reality. Perhaps that is what this work is really about – reality.