Cyanotypes along the LA River | Metabolic Studios

A film by student Miranda Yee

Toxic runoff from the Boeing-owned Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), situated at the headwaters of the Los Angeles River, has long been a source of significant waterway pollution. About two-thirds of the stormwater runoff from this former rocket and nuclear testing site flows directly south into Bell Creek, which feeds into the LA River.

During the semester, our class visited the outlying community surrounding Santa Susana Field Lab and these waterways in Los Angeles. As part of our visit, we were invited to take a tour of Metabolic Studios to learn about their eco-conscious photography processes and public art projects.

With gloves and protection, we created cyanotypes along the river, thinking about the residents who bathe in and drink this water everyday and why its worth fighting for.

  • Miranda Yee

    Entrance to the LA River by Metabolic Studios.

  • Raelyn Ponce

    Concerns regarding citrus fruit contamination at Orcutt Ranch involve high-level perchlorate contamination found in soil near Dayton Canyon Creek and run off from the field lab.

  • Ava Renneker

    A side trip to Bell Canyon where Boeing is buying residences—including Camp Alonim, located on the American Jewish University’s Brandeis-Bardin Campus in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains.

  • Rose Gleiberman

    During a tour of Metabolic Studios, we saw the silver reclaimed from silver gelatin prints in the photo lab.

  • Dashiell Hall

    A water tank in the hills leading up to the Santa Susana Field Lab.

  • Zoe Mui

    Black and white analog image of walk along the river before making cyanotypes.

  • Cecilia Lai

    Hiking along the Santa Susana hillside towards the field lab.

  • Jerarado Rodriguez

    The Simi Hills are highly vulnerable to brush fires, classified as a high-hazard area due to steep terrain, dry brush, and strong winds.

  • Kasey Levin

    A black and white analogue image of Santa Susana Field Lab overlook.

  • Ziqui Zhao

    Surrounding flora along Woolsey Canyon Rd.

  • Phillip Chirigos

    Woolsey Canyon Road on route to the Santa Susana Field Lab.

  • Rose Gleiberman

    Greenhouse from reclaimed water LA River water at Metabolic Studios. The studio has been working on methods of natural filtration

  • Miranda Yee

    First cyanotype bath before returning it to the river.

  • Raelyn Ponce

    Ripples in the LA River water reveal natural algae underneath. Algae grows in the LA River because of urban runoff, nutrient pollution, and the region's warm, sunny climate. This along with the concrete riverbed create the perfect conditions for algae to thrive.

  • Ava Renneker

    Student Miranda Yee documents the field trip.