Photo Exhibition and Community Conversation
DATE: Saturday, July 26, 2025
TIME: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Free Event.
When the City Speaks is a compelling new book that captures the spirit of Los Angeles through the voices and stories of its people—those who shape the heart and soul of the city. Created through months of immersive exploration across the L.A. area, this project invites readers to experience a deeply human portrait of a city at a crossroads.
Through intimate conversations and striking portrait photography, When the City Speaks offers a window into the lives of Angelenos from all walks of life. Each story reflects a unique perspective, collectively illuminating the rich diversity, resilience, and creativity of the communities that make Los Angeles what it is. Woven throughout the book are powerful visual contrasts: personal narratives set against the backdrop of demolition sites and construction zones, highlighting the ongoing transformation of the cityscape.
The book raises urgent questions about the cost of unchecked development and the displacement of communities. By juxtaposing beauty and struggle, When the City Speaks challenges readers to reconsider what progress looks like—and who it serves.
At its core, the project is a call to action: to spark dialogue, inspire deeper connection, and advocate for a more inclusive vision of urban growth—one that places people and their stories at the center.
When the City Speaks is more than a book; it is an invitation to listen, reflect, and reimagine the future of Los Angeles.
Concept, Art Direction & Production by Walter Martinez. Photography by Kaid Ashton. Written by Matt “MATRE” Sawaya & Walter Martinez
Cover Design, Graphics & Layout by Joshua Temkin
