Los Angeles is gearing up for the third annual Month of Photography in Los Angeles, which opens on April 2nd and runs through all of April. MOPLA was conceived and is organized by the individuals who founded The Focus on Aids Photography Auction, The Lucie Foundation, and the Lucie Awards. The event is spearheaded by Hossein Farmani and the capable co-founder, Cat Jimenez, and is L.A.’s answer to Fotofest in Houston. Venues all over Los Angeles will be celebrating photography, with nights dedicated to outdoor projections, special exhibits all over the city, openings almost every night, lectures, workshops, competitions, and portfolio reviews. MOPLA’s two-fold mission is to advance dynamic programming designed to engage and stimulate the photography community, as well as to present a comprehensive resource of exhibitions and events in April.

MOPLA 2011’s theme, Adaptations and Reverberations, embodies the fluidity and versatility of the photographic medium. While technology allows the art of photography to change and grow, classic approaches reverberate throughout. Utilizing old and new techniques, photographers represent a variety of subjects, including music, another art form that embraces new techniques, while incorporating and reinventing those that have come before. MOPLA 2011 celebrates music and photography in Los Angeles – a city whose own history reflects reverberations and adaptations of its own art and culture.

For the next weeks, I will be highlighting many of these events and openings, and as some events are opening prior to April, but running through April, I will be celebrating those in addition.

For a flavor of the event, enjoy this video from last year:

MOPLA 2010 from Lucie Foundation on Vimeo.