Museum of Photographic Arts | San Diego Review

Located at 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park
The sunlight shines down from above as we find ourselves near the center of Balboa Park
at the Museum of Photographic Arts.
It focuses on film photography and video media. There are different collections that change throughout the year.
One of them is Magic & Myth which showcases the art of young local artists in grades K through 12 from San Diego County and Tijuana.
An art gallery is often experienced by gathering what our eyes see before us and working out a story in our heads.
All artists appreciate observers who take time to process what is before them before moving on to the next piece.
It also helps to hear comments of others. Feel free to pause this video to listen to your own thoughts while watching.
In viewing these creations of young artists several themes emerge. The first points to change.
Of all the creatures on our planet, butterflies seem to hold a special place when it comes to metamorphosis and change.
Once the egg hatches into a caterpillar, it feeds to prepare to for its chrysalis stage and emerge as a butterfly.
These young artists are also in a time of change as they gain their education and discover who they want to be.
We are fortunate that this year's Youth Exhibition received nearly 700 entries, showing an interest in the arts that will continue into the future.
In this work entitled "Change" the artist wields a wand to change the world for the better and free children from bullying.
Although the artist is only 10, she must draw from her experiences in life. Notice how there is a butterfly hidden by the tree next to her.
Another collage shows a young girl with wings flying above a house while a penguin looks on.
This art resembles the fabric of our dreams which often combines different places, people, and things. The raccoon seems concerned for her safety.
Sometimes we feel we are flying in our dreams. Perhaps some people dream of being a butterfly soaring high above the clouds.
An ancient Chinese myth suggests while we are awake, we may all really be butterflies dreaming we are human.
Mirrors show us in real time who we are and let us imagine who we want to be in the future.
It's no surprise that butterfly wings would be a welcome change in a magic and myth art piece.
Butterflies always radiate a magical and ethereal quality when we are in their presence.
For us, they symbolize transformation and change, hope for the future, and the joyous comfort of our natural world.
Another theme that emerges in the Magic and Myth exhibit is self-confidence in relation to power and responsibility.
These three Goddesses of Life are role models for the young artist who is beginning to find her own identity.
By looking at our own reflection in water we learn to appreciate the time we are granted to exist on this Earth.
No one is perfect or ever will be. It's best to accept who we are and help others to see they will be fine no matter what ripples may disturb the water's surface.
Many of us have been told to be ourselves. However, in certain situations, it helps to use our imaginations.
This piece shows self-confidence can be gained by imagining a strong and fearless creature like a dragon living within.
Young artists in their formative years realize they have power to make a difference in the world.
What they do with that power is as it was told to a spidery superhero, “With great power comes great responsibility."
This superhero's powerful strength is put to good use carrying mountains.
You could ask "Where was the mountain before and where will it be put down?" "Why was it moved?" Valid questions, and our imaginations are exercised to answer them for us.
The Nike shoes are not really necessary when you can levitate in mid-air.
What is this cloaked figure thinking while manipulating lightning above the land below? We hope the intentions are good, but who knows for sure?
The title of this piece is "A Foggy Memory." Ironically, it's very clear with two figures resting under a mushroom grove next to a crystalline mountain. There is some fog obscuring the starry night sky.
Whether this memory is foggy or not, honor and remembrance is another theme in Magic & Myth.
The Covid-19 pandemic took away our dignity and freedom and more to the point; our friends and relatives.
This girl plants a single flower
to remember those who have gone too soon.
In this realistic image we see the loose tethers of a spirit lifting the body of someone who has recently departed.
Atop the wedding arch below is a tiny bird, watching. Is it the soul that has left its body? or perhaps it's another soul grieving.
A simple photo captured on a cloudy winter morning by a girl walking behind her mother in downtown Chicago.
They are walking to the wake of her lolo, or grandfather in Filipino, as the mother recalls stories of her childhood. Stories the grandfather never had the chance to tell, and now never will tell, his granddaughter.
The phoenix is an immortal bird

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I carry a smartphone almost everywhere I go and yet I barely ever take photos. The inner critic in me keeps me from developing my photographer's eye. Great video and narrative!