Lomography, for those of you who don’t know, is a company dedicated to re-manufacturing vintage cameras. Plastic cameras like Holgas to be exact, either sold for a couple dollars or given out for free as prizes at carnivals or goodies at parties in the 60’s. The beloved Diana camera is infinitely one of lomographers favorites, creating a dreamy look and adding soft vignettes to duplicate those photos we find in our parents shoe boxes of nostalgic high school memories. The Lomography World Tour gallery, focusing on the Diana, is not only filled with unique photographs taken by lomographers across the country, but with unique artistic takes on the Diana camera itself. The Customized Clones exhibition consists of Diana cameras designed by different artists who quite literally did anything they wanted with them. Some aren’t even capable of taking pictures anymore, but the end result is worth having sit on your shelf. Each artist received one camera to do entirely what they wish, pulling apart the lens, covering it in paint, mounting it to sculptures — the possibilities were endless. As each camera is auctioned off the proceeds will be given to the charity of the artist’s choice, helping out just about everything from animal shelters, Invisible Children, Boys & Girls Clubs to art projects in local communities. For instance the proceeds of Jonathan Cathey’s piece (above), from The Loyal Subjects, will go to Free Arts for Abused Children. So if you wish contribute and purchase a one-of-a-kind piece, or simply wish to view them in person alongside the photo’s taken from your own home city, stop by the West Hollywood location this weekend or visit the Customized Clones website and lay your bid. Closing day for auctions will be this Sunday and held in the store.
See some of the photos taken by lomographers around Los Angeles after the Jump…