Chop ‘em Down Films is a collective of cinematographers based in Los Angeles, spearheaded by filmmaker Zane Meyer. They specialize in capturing street art and graffiti actions worldwide; their goal is to act as a catalyst for the culture rather than to simply document. The work of Chop ‘em Down reflects the perspective of an insider. In their collaboration with the urban art scene, they often draw attention to social context and political issues. Three projects in Los Angeles, Miami, and London are presented here through films and a large photo series.

LA: Oceanwide Plaza: The Oceanwide Plaza Project is a failed luxury real estate project that left behind empty and unfinished skyscrapers neighboring Skid Row, the area with the highest rate of homelessness in the United States. Graffiti writers began painting on the unfinished buildings in late 2023, transforming them into a giant canvas visible from afar. This graffiti takeover on more than twenty-five floors attracted international media attention and sparked discussions about speculation, housing inequality, and urban decay.

On loan courtesy of the artist.