Thursday November 15 featured the Theo Ehret photography exhibit presented by Geneva Sound Systems and 722 Figueroa titled “The Grand Olympic.” Theo Ehret was a German Photographer originally born in Germany and emigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s during his late 20’s. During his career, he was hired by the Olympic to shoot publicity “mug shots” and the action in the ring photographing some of the greatest boxers and wrestlers of his time including Muhammad Ali, Andre The Giant, Roberto Duran, Sonny Liston and Mil Mascaras. Ehret was the house photographer at L.A’s Olympic Auditorium from the mid 1960s through the early 1980s and his film noir black and white images captured the gigantic characters and wild scene at one of the great fight venues in America. Ehret’s photos also stand as a fascinating social document of a changing city. He chronicled the rise of Latino fighters from places like Mexico, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua. And just as importantly, he covered the colorful scene in and around the Olympic: the Battle Royales, Cage Matches, celebrities, mariachis, luchadores, dwarves, heels, and
passionate fans. Today his dramatic photographs have been recognized by the cognoscenti of the art and sports worlds.
The festivities took place at the historic Kim Sing Theatre in Downtown, Los Angeles where there was an eclectic mix of men and women who were locals of inner city Los Angeles. There were artistic/cultural/creative individuals who were sprinkled all throughout the venue from various ages, backgrounds, and sub cultures that all came together in the celebration of art and to partake in a wonderful industry environment. Even a few celebrities stopped by to enjoy the event such as Fatlip from the legendary hip-hop group the Pharcyde, Co-Founder Power of the Wu-Tang Clan, and movie television superstar Harrison Ford. Yes we said it “Indiana Jones” himself was in the building to partake in all the art and entertainment happening during the night. In addition to the art exhibit, was a special live performance from La based Afro Funk band Jungle Fire who had an amazing set that got the crowd going playing a fused mix of sultry Latin Jazz that shot through your body like a bolt of lightning. Their music captured everyone’s attention and even excited a few individuals to bust out a few spin moves and classic two step dance mixes while Jungle Fire brought down the house with band members playing everything from the base to merengues, saxophones, trombones, trumpets and more.
As the night progressed, some of the standout photographs seen were Muhammad Ali’s “Training for the Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, Mexican WBC Olympic champion Lupe Pintor photograph “El Hombre” at the Olympic Auditorium Circa 1980, Lucha Libre John Tolos “Masked” photograph taken in 1972, and Andre the Giants “Battle Royal” at the Olympics Main Street Gym in 1974. Overall, the night turned into a great event with special thanks to Hannah Sacks, Steve DeBro, and the entire staff at 722 Figueroa. If you are in the La area make sure you checkout the exhibit and all the great photography it has to offer which ends November 30th.
Kim Sing Theatre
718 N Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Knowledge “What’s the Science”
All photo by Eric Soul
Theo Ehret: The Grand Olympics Photo Exhibit from TheVideoMouse on Vimeo.
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