This week Thibault sits down with artist and activist Rio Asch Phoenix to talk about his solo show with Monte Vista Projects, While Light Still Falls Here, documenting the hotly contested Canyon Hills property near the Verdugo Mountains in Los Angeles. They talk about Rio's nerd-level love of plants, Instagram's effect on art and why photography is still relevant.

Rio's show will be up at Monte Vista Projects in DTLA until Feb 2nd. Go to his closing reception on Saturday, February 1st. Details on the Monte Vista Projects website.

About Rio Asch Phoenix

Rio Asch Phoenix (b. 1996) is a Los Angeles-based photographer documenting the contested boundaries between built and natural environments. Raised in North Florida, his work focuses on the intersection of these sites and the stories of destruction, renewal, and harmony that emerge from them.

His photographs have appeared in Contemporary Art Review LA, Telegraph Magazine, and KCRW. Recently, he received an Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and was selected for Review Santa Fe 2024. He holds a BFA in Photography from Northeastern University (2019)

Show Notes

• ⁠Rio Asch Phoenix website⁠⁠ https://www.rioaschphoenix.com/
• Rio Asch Phoenix Instagram⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/rioaschphoenix/
• Monte Vista Projects ⁠https://www.montevistaprojects.com/
• No Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/⁠
• Support the NCH legal defense fund! https://www.gofundme.com/f/nch-legal⁠⁠
• Watch The Side Woo on YouTube⁠ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjjmLJwGNrjyP1vbzNUJxKiJ4MXOw7sfE