New York Times Photo Essay Features Hollywood Women

In a photo essay on the New York Times website Lise Sarfati captures images of several women in the urban landscape of Los Angeles.

In an opinion article published Saturday called "On Hollywood," she explains her goal was to observe "the effects of geographic surroundings on the emotions and behavior of individuals," an approach analyzed by the French writer Guy Debord. See the slide show here.

Most of the images show women on drab sidewalks, motels and storefronts. 

Some scenes were shot in Hollywood. Sarfati writes:

My series “On Hollywood” shows women who really live in Los Angeles. They probably came to project themselves in the Hollywood landscape and to take advantage of the possibilities of success in this landscape. Hollywood interested me more for the concept of landscape as fantasy.

One Patch reader points out there were several location mistakes in the slide show: 

• "Vinny Ann, Hollywood & Vine, 2010" — Vinny Ann is actually standing near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

• "Elisabeth, North West Corner Sunset & Poinsettia, 2010" — Elisabeth is on the NORTHEAST corner at Sunset Boulevard and Poinsettia Place.  A Ralphs supermarket is on the northwest corner.

• Malaika #13, North Sunset Boulevard, 2010 — There is no NORTH Sunset Boulevard. It's West Sunset Boulevard (or just Sunset Boulevard) for its entire length, from Caesar Chavez Boulevard to Pacific Coast Highway.

The reader goes on to wonder whether Sarfati's "Hollywood" is meant to be the actual neighborhood or the fantasy.

Three other photos were not taken in Hollywood:

• Emily, 2860 Sunset Blvd, 2010 — That address is in the Silver Lake neighborhood.

• Malaïka #09, Corner 7th Street & Spring, 2010 — Downtown (in the Fashion District, as the street sign shows)

• Kelly, South Alvarado Street, 2010 — Near Downtown.

Another oops:

The article notes "On Hollywood" will be on display at the Rose Gallery in Los Angeles. It's actually in Santa Monica.