As Photo LA opened it's doors for the last day of this years exhibition, there was a bitter sweet taste in the air. Whether it was the rain pouring down outside or the fact that the event that many had spent a year looking forward to was coming to an end, no one can say. 

On this rainy Sunday afternoon, a commodity itself in the City of Angels, art enthusiasts, locals and families crowded into the Santa Monica Civic Center to enjoy one more day of photographic creativity. While many people attend these events to shop and collect, on this day, most were just enjoying the scenery provided to them by Photo LA producer, Stephen Cohen. This years exhibition, although smaller than the previous years, showcased some of the most original work from artists all over the world. 

The MR Gallery from Beijing, displayed several of their bold and thought provoking artists, including Jiang Jian's series on orphans and Qiang Jin's religious photographs. One Qiang Jin that stood out to me was an image, entitled Holy Icon from Liuhe Village, where he portrayed the Last Supper. Now the photograph itself was flawless and breath taking as a whole, but the detail that made me do a double take was that they were all men. Everyone seated at Jin's portrayal of the Last Supper was male, completely disregarding the fact that Mary Magdalen was originally there.

Don't get me wrong, I can still appreciate the art, but as a feminist, that minor detail just doesn't sit well with me. It makes me wonder if others shared my feelings, which might explain why the photograph, that took up half a wall space, didn't get very much attention. 

Directly across from MR Gallery was another piece of work that I found surprisingly interesting. It was a Lotus Leaf  in a clear glass frame by Gabriel Orozco. The leaf, while at first glance looks like it could be 100 years old, is not a real leaf at all. It's an etching of a lotus leaf, most likely purchased right here in Chinatown, made on Gampi paper matching the leafs' original color. How much you might ask will this little leaf run you? Oh, about $20,000. 

The price we pay for art. High prices seem to balance out when you find a piece that gives you that feeling, that special something. A connection. Great art pulls you out of your comfort zone and takes you to the deepest level of your very existence. It's kind of funny to watch someone look through art, they get this deep in thought, curious look in their eyes. It's almost mystical.

Of all the breathtakingly beautiful artwork that graced the walls of the Santa Monica Civic Center the past four days, what really shook me was a little boy in our booth. The look of pure innocence in GianGiacomo's eyes was more powerful than any photograph I had seen. Ironic, in a place like Photo LA, to be completely taken with a toddler. He had already won me over, when he blew me a kiss goodbye, all I could do was smile. 

On this last day, it wasn't about how much you sold anymore, it was all about the people. The connections you made, whether they were through a common love of art or an admiration for the same photograph. These were connections that would leave a lasting effect. 

As doors closed at 6:00pm, an hour earlier than the other days, galleries and artists said goodbye to another year at Photo LA. Within 20 minutes of closing, five booths were already empty. Crates were brought out, art was put away and walls were dismantled. There was that same bitter sweet feeling again as I realized that by this time tomorrow all would be back to normal. The Santa Monica Civic Center would be as it was and all evidence of our creative gathering would be gone.  

This is what I leave you with, a few photographs, a few memories, a few humorous moments. Until next year, back to the real world.