CSRC Library Exhibitions

Rotating exhibitions drawn from CSRC collections are on display inside the library and in the vitrine near the front entrance. All exhibitions are free to the public and viewable during regular library hours.

Be in the Moment: Portraits from L.A. Lowrider, Goth, and Punk Cultures

Photography by Zer Ghoul
August 4 - December 8, 2023
 
Opening reception: Friday, August 4, 5-8 p.m.
 
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library
144 Haines Hall
In the library and hallway vitrine
 
 

Be in the Moment: Portraits from L.A. Lowrider, Goth, and Punk Cultures features artworks by Los Angeles-based photographer Zer Ghoul (Erick Zerecero). Zer Ghoul uses his Canon EOS M50 camera to document L.A. lowrider culture and the rebelliousness of goth and punk culture. He is inspired by punk and goth scenes because “they are rooted in depicting their nonconformity towards the status quo, each in their own way, through their music and lyrics. What I like the most, however, are the DIY outfits of goths and punks, from leather jackets painted with acrylic depicting band logos or quotes against authority, to the latex masks that shine with every movement on the dance floor.” Another important aspect of his photography is documenting Chicano culture in L.A. and its intersection with lowrider culture. “This is important to me because it’s my community; it reminds me of my family,” he says. “My uncles migrated from Mexico City to L.A. in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Two of them, Sergio and Alfredo, would go to lowrider cruises. Sergio owned a 1975 Cutlass Supreme and Alfredo owned a 1963 Impala Super Sport. Photographing lowrider cruises reminds me of them.” For Zer Ghoul, photographing Chicano lowrider culture is personal because his uncles are part of its history, and he wants to document his community with love and dignity. Zer Ghoul calls his photographic style “goth minimalism.” His portraits capture the moment with natural light, no flash, and in black and white.

A video of the opening reception is available on the CSRC YouTube Channel.

Erick Zerecero is a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. 

Image: Zer Ghoul, "Hop 6th Street Viaduct," January 19, 2023, Los Angeles
 

PAST CSRC Library Exhibitions

Latina Lesbian Lineage (June - July 2023)
Raices (April-June 2023)
Surrendity (March 2-31, 2023)
Profiles of Activism (October 17, 2019 - March 17, 2020)
Make 'Em All Mexican: Works by Linda Vallejo (January 12 - March 20, 2015)
Sal Castro: Legacy of a Teacher (October 15 - December 13, 2013)
Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata (April 15 - May 10, 2013)
Ramiro Gomez: Luxury, Interrupted (February 4 – April 8, 2013)
Alex Donis: Floating World (November 13, 2012 – January 21, 2013)
Dichos: The David Damian Figueroa Collection (September 19 - October 30, 2012)
La Cocina (April 2 - August 15, 2012)
Mural Remix: Sandra de la Loza (February 6 - June 1, 2012)
Gronk: Paper Napkins (January 5 - March 23, 2012)
Chican@s Collect: The Durón Family Collection (September 22 - December 9, 2011)
LGBT & Mujeres Initiative (May – June 2011)
Cesar E. Chavez (March 31 - April 2011)