Soundscapes: Soltera

Sherman Oaks Castle Park

4989 Sepulveda Boulevard

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

6:30-9pm

Photos by Ruben Preciado.

Stream the playlist on Spotify and Apple Music:

LAND is pleased to present Soundscapes: Soltera as the third iteration of LAND’s newest programming series, L.A. Summer Mixes. Soltera has created a mix of songs illustrating her experience and love for her neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Alongside the mix, Soltera has prepared a list of recommendations in the San Fernando Valley encouraging folks to check out some of her favorite spots.

Join LAND on Thursday, September 29th to celebrate the release of Soundscapes: Soltera with a night of short films and miniature golf at the Sherman Oaks Castle Park. The program will include a debut of short films by Soltera and Gemma Jimenez Gonzalez focused on emerging artists from the valley, showcasing how this unique part of Los Angeles county is integral to Los Angeles’ art ecosystem.

Beyond The Valley Girl, 2021, 4:26 min

Directed by Tania Ordoñez 

Edited by Walter Vargas and Tania Ordoñez 

Scored by Tania Ordoñez and Aarum Alatorre 

Featured Artists: Pacoima Techno and Gemma Jiménez Gonzalez

SFV Collective Movement, 2021, 5:03 min

SFV Collective Movement is a short experimental film featuring three San Fernando Valley-based artists: Patricia (Pata) Hernandez, Monica Juarez, and Myisha Arellano. At three different stages in their creative practice, we learn the role the artists play when engaging with the space around them. As artists who at some point in their lives/or currently rely on public transit, we observe the way movement creates a different pace and inspiration for the artists.

This film was created on Chumash, Kizh, Fernaneño Tataviam and Tongva Land. 

Echo Park Film Center (EPFC) is a non-profit media arts organization run by a collective of filmmakers, educators, and community organizers that focus on highlighting experimental films, documentaries, and social justice media. This project was made by three members: Alejandra Jimenez-Gonzalez, Gemma Jimenez-Gonzalez, and Nicole Ucedo. Together we strive to create programming through EPFC that brings communities together and encourages creativity with a particular focus on the underserved communities in Los Angeles.

These films were commissioned by Metro Art as part of arts-based engagement and research to help inform future transportation investments in the San Fernando Valley. For more information about Metro Art visit metro.net/art.

Check out Soltera’s list of neighborhood recommendations:

1. Gourmet Tamales:  13754 Van Nuys Blvd, 91331

2. Fresh Donuts:  11030 Balboa Blvd, 91344

3. Valley Value Center:  13630 Victory Blvd, 91401

4. All Things and More:  8321 San Fernando Rd, 9135

5. Sylmar’s Fix:  13790 Foothill Blvd SUITE 7, 91342

6. Redzone Shop:  8540 Van Nuys Blvd, 91402

7. California Institute of Abnormal Arts:  11334 Burbank Blvd, 91601

8. O’Melveny Park:  17300 Sesnon Blvd,  91344

9. The Great Wall:  Located on Coldwater Canyon Ave between Oxnard St and Burbank Blvd and the eastern edge of Valley College campus.

10. Sherman Oaks Castle Park:  4989 Sepulveda Blvd, 91403

Soltera

Soltera is the experimental dance project of Colombian American artist Tania Ordoñez. Ordoñez grew up in the San Fernando Valley, home to many backyard shows where all of her greatest music inspirations stem from. In 2018, Ordoñez started producing music on her own with borrowed synthesizers and drum machines from friends, soon creating her own sounds. Her music is heavily influenced by techno and house melding with punk. Her intention with Soltera is to create a cathartic experience where people can come together to dance and let go. Ordoñez is also a filmmaker, DJ and co-runs an underground LA based collective called Casa/Teca.

Gemma Jimenez Gonzalez

Gemma Jimenez Gonzalez is a mixed media artist, educator, and community-based urban planner. Her creative practice explores the regeneration of urban ecology, mobility, and development.

Nicole Ucedo

Nicole Ucedo is an Argentine-American filmmaker, educator, and film programmer from Los Angeles. Her video work focuses on movement in and through the spaces of Los Angeles. She has been involved with the Echo Park Film Center since 2018.

Alejandra Eliza Jimenez

Alejandra Jimenez is a community organizer, artist, media specialist, and bike rider based in the San Fernando Valley. Her mission is to make the arts and organizing education accessible to youth, undocumented folks, Queer and Trans, and BIPOC populations. She believes that through the arts we can heal from childhood trauma, and have agency over our narratives and what we deem as “our work”, and our art. 

LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division) is proud to introduce Soundscapes, our new programming series dedicated to experimental music and audio practices, inviting artists to consider how location and sound in its various modalities are deeply intertwined. This series champions artists prioritizing audio and the sensorial over the ocular to facilitate unique experiences widely available to the public.  

Soundscapes joins LAND’s existing series, Nomadic Nights, dedicated to performance and socially-engaged practices, and Frame Rate, presenting film and moving-image work. These three series demonstrate LAND’s dedication to supporting artists in immediate and responsive ways, while providing the public with access to works in process or newly-created. 

LAND’s 2022 exhibitions are made possible with lead support from the Offield Family Foundation and the Jerry and Terri Kohl Family Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Fran and Ray Stark Foundation, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture, the LA Arts Recovery Fund, Wilhelm Family Foundation, and LAND’s Nomadic Council. Special thanks to Artist Sponsors Karen Hillenburg, Brenda Potter, Abby Pucker, Jay and Deanie Stein Foundation Trust, and the Poncher Family Foundation.

LAND is a member-supported organization. Support LAND’s free, public programming by becoming a member today.

Feature Image Courtesy of Soltera.