The Paris Chong Show

Photographer Stephen Vanasco, widely known as Van Styles, shares his remarkable journey from the DIY ethos of '90s skate culture to capturing a decade of the changing Los Angeles skyline from a helicopter. Alongside host Paris Chong, he discusses his dedication to shooting exclusively on film and the importance of building an independent creative career. Tune in for an inspiring look at artist...

Photographer Stephen Vanasco (Van Styles) sits down with gallerist Paris Chong to discuss his journey from '90s skate culture to mastering aerial photography in Los Angeles. Tune in as they explore his decade-long aerial book project leading up to the 2028 Olympics, his dedication to shooting exclusively on film, and valuable insights on building an independent creative career. Show Clip from...

Paris Chong sits down with photographer Stephen Vanasco, also known as Van Styles, to discuss his creative journey from '90s skate culture to fine art photography. Vanasco reflects on how his background in skateboarding instilled a strong "do-it-yourself" ethos, enabling him to build a successful career on his own terms without relying on traditional agencies or managers. He also bre...

Curator Rotem Rozental emphasizes the importance of art spaces in fostering public discourse and showcasing diverse viewpoints. Her "Timeline" program supports photographers in various cities by providing mentorship from professionals like Ibarionex Perello and Ed Kashi to document contemporary events and build a lasting historical archive. Additionally, both Rozental and host Paris Chon...

Curator and photo historian Rotem Rozental argues that rather than resisting artificial intelligence, photographers should embrace and understand the technology to remain relevant. Drawing parallels to historical industry resistance toward Photoshop, she suggests that while legal frameworks like copyright currently lag behind, they will eventually adapt to protect visual creators. Beyond these leg...

Curator Rotem Rozental and Paris Chong discuss the LACP exhibition *Expand and Contract*, which examines the evolution of American documentary photography throughout the 21st century. The discussion covers a diverse range of projects, from responses to 9/11 and the rise of digital technology to grassroots documentation of wildfire recovery efforts in Altadena and the complex realities of the US-Me...

Curator and photo historian Rotem Rozental explores the intersection of art, mental health, and historical archives. She discusses a collaborative project focusing on loneliness and resilience, which uses creative expression to foster community and well-being, and reflects on her book, *Pre-State Photographic Archives and the Zionist Movement*, which examines how photographic systems shaped identi...

Paris sits down with Rotem Rozental, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) and an accomplished photo historian. Together, they dive into the vital role photography plays in understanding our complex world, discussing how creative expression serves as a necessary tool for both processing personal experiences and fostering public dialogue. Throughout the conversation...

Artist Joshua Elias and art dealer Paris Chong discuss the surprisingly interconnected nature of the art world, reflecting on a chance encounter Joshua had in Paris that led to an unexpected connection with his own studio complex, The Brewery, in Los Angeles. The conversation highlights how small the art community truly is and touches on the value of local resources, such as specialized darkroom p...

Artist Joshua Elias recounts his recent travels to France and how the experience deepened his connection to the cultural landscape, allowing him to see past the surface of Paris. Joshua reflects on his shift toward more neutral tones in his painting, explains his focus on creating "air" in his work, and shares insights from his museum visits and quiet moments of observation in local cafe...

Explore the essential, symbiotic bond between artist and dealer in this candid conversation between artist Joshua Elias and art dealer Paris Chong. The duo discusses the unique balance required to successfully navigate both the creative and business sides of the art world. Paris reflects on why clients consistently gravitate toward Joshua’s work, while they share insights from years of collaborati...

We explore the deep appreciation for culture found throughout France and the timeless artistry of Maxwell Parish. Join us as we reflect on the buzzing, historic energy of Parisian cafes, the allure of classic paintings versus modern digital photography, and personal connections to legendary art. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Joshua Elias https://youtu.be/lZ6qQEHDJ70 https://www.theparis...

Paris reunites with her dear friend and longtime collaborator, acclaimed painter Joshua Elias. The conversation moves fluidly from their shared history in the art world to Joshua’s recent artistic residency in the South of France. Reflecting on his time in the village of Saissac, Joshua shares how the region’s culture, landscape, and slower pace of life have begun to reshape his creative process a...

Mark Edward Harris reflects on the defining moments of his career, including his 1998 book *Faces of the 20th Century*, which featured photographic legends like Gordon Parks and Helmut Newton. He offers grounded advice for emerging photographers—emphasizing that while feeling lost at the start is common, the key to success is to simply keep moving forward. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with...

Acclaimed photographer Mark Edward Harris and host Paris Chong discuss the power of the Olympics to unite the world and how that spirit of connection can inspire meaningful work. Mark shares how his own experiences capturing Olympic stars like Alina Zagitova opened doors to new professional opportunities, illustrating a crucial lesson he learned from photography icons like Eve Arnold and Sebastião...

Paris Chong and photographer Mark Edward Harris discuss the importance of historical distance when curating and viewing photography of challenging global events like 9/11 and the pandemic. They explore how allowing these images time to breathe transforms them from painful, raw experiences into meaningful historical artifacts. The conversation also shifts to a lighthearted, serendipitous story abou...

Paris Chong and acclaimed photographer Mark Edward Harris share a candid, lighthearted detour into the personal side of life as they discuss relationships, dating dynamics, and the secrets to defying the aging process. From navigating age gaps in dating to sharing a laugh over the "Dorian Gray effect," the two explore the humorous and relatable realities of growing older while staying tr...

Paris Chong welcomes acclaimed travel and documentary photographer Mark Edward Harris to discuss his extensive career and global adventures. With a background rooted in documentary history, Mark shares his journey from starting out with stills for *The Merv Griffin Show* to photographing in over 100 countries across all seven continents. The conversation highlights his acclaimed work, particularly...

Lee Kaplan shares heartwarming memories of the late Diane Keaton, highlighting her unique spirit and her status as a devoted patron of independent bookstores. He recalls a curious anecdote about Keaton window-shopping at his former location—a behavior he notes was shared by the great painter Richard Diebenkorn—offering a glimpse into her idiosyncratic charm. The conversation then shifts to the cor...

Lee Kaplan and host Paris Chong discuss the realities of running a long-term business, with Lee candidly describing the transition from the thrill of the hunt for rare books to the daily "grind" of operations. The conversation shifts to the history of Arcana Books’ home within the iconic Helms Bakery complex, which Lee reveals was built for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. They explore the...

Paris Chong chats with Lee Kaplan, the owner of Arcana Books, about the evolution of the independent bookselling scene in Los Angeles. Lee shares the story behind starting his iconic store in 1984, operating initially from a small one-bedroom apartment in Westwood, and explains the strategic reasoning behind choosing the name "Arcana" to stand out in the pre-internet Yellow Pages. Throug...

Paris Chong sits down with Lee Kaplan, the owner of Arcana Books and a former fixture at the legendary Rhino Records. Kaplan shares his memories from 1975, when he served as one of the record store's original employees during its pre-label era, and details his role in scouting rare imports of creative improvised music, free jazz, and Jamaican reggae. Beyond his music industry roots, Kaplan ref...

Paris Chong welcomes Lee Kaplan, owner of the long-lived Arcana Books in Culver City, a destination known for its vast selection of visually-driven material, including modern and contemporary art, photography, music, and fashion. Kaplan discusses his eclectic background, revealing he was a musician and visual artist before opening his store. Notably, he was one of the original three employees at R...

Photographer Olaf Heine recounts his incredible experience photographing an 80-foot swell at Jaws in the winter of 2024, describing the atmosphere as "an army going out there into war" due to the seismic power of the ocean, which he notes is also what drives big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, who is featured on the book's cover. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Olaf Heine https:...

Photographer Olaf Heine justifies his powerful decision to shoot Hawaii in black and white, explaining that the monochromatic aesthetic is more "pure and reduced" and timeless, allowing him to focus on the islands' volcanic, harsh, and rugged origins rather than the distracting colors of golden beaches and sunsets. He chose black and white to capture the full spectrum of Hawaii's...