2nd place
silver star award
Kristin Bedford
united states 
title
Cruise Night
These photos arise from three years of immersing myself in Los Angeles’ tight-knit Mexican American lowrider community. The term “lowrider” refers to both a customized car and its driver. The lowrider tradition dates back to 1940s Los Angeles, when teenagers experimented with transforming their cars to reflect their personal style and sense of independence.
Today, lowriding is often pigeonholed as simplistic folk art or stereotyped by the media as crude and dangerous. I am offering an invitation to question these depictions and providing an intimate look at the nuance, style and complexities of this American art form.
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entry description
Cruise Night is about the art of being seen. Catching the eye of a young woman. Falling in love. Having a voice. All while cruising down a boulevard. It is a glimpse at the beauty, grace and politics of the car as a mobile canvas.These photos arise from three years of immersing myself in Los Angeles’ tight-knit Mexican American lowrider community. The term “lowrider” refers to both a customized car and its driver. The lowrider tradition dates back to 1940s Los Angeles, when teenagers experimented with transforming their cars to reflect their personal style and sense of independence.
Today, lowriding is often pigeonholed as simplistic folk art or stereotyped by the media as crude and dangerous. I am offering an invitation to question these depictions and providing an intimate look at the nuance, style and complexities of this American art form.
back to gallery
