A14 NewsLeader Friday, March 2, 2012
COFFEEwith Seeking truth in the Downtown Eastside For six years Gabor Gasztonyi well as a journal of his thoughts would photograph dapper grads as he dropped into their gritty, and beaming brides in his New unforgiving world, have been Westminster studio then pack his published in a book, A Room in camera to Vancouver’s Downtown the City. A collection of his photos Eastside where most smiles lacked will also be displayed in the New teeth. If there was anything worth Westminster library through March. smiling about in the ¿rst place. The project had a very personal Surprisingly, Gasztonyi beginning when Gasztonyi and his discovered as partner helped a friend he got to know escape her addiction and befriend the by moving her out of residents there the Cobalt to a more were plenty of forgiving environment smiles amidst the on Vancouver Island. Mario Bartel homelessness, He was struck by the addiction, grime humanity of the people and violence of Canada’s poorest living in inhumane conditions. postal code. “They’re from all walks of life,” “There’s a gentleness and love says Gasztonyi. “Many of them there that’s phenomenal,” says are bright and talented, but they’re Gasztonyi, who’s originally from hobbled by addiction.” Hungary but has been living in Like the highly educated New West for 53 of his 58 years. psychologist he met at one hotel “People think they’re bums, but who could stay clean long enough I’ve never felt so much spirituality to earn money at construction jobs in my life as when I’m in that area.” to refuel his addiction to cocaine. The photos Gasztonyi shot Or the “chain man” who wandered of people in their rooms at the streets all day burdened by a hotels like the Cobalt, Balmoral, huge set of chains draped around Roosevelt, Regent and Sunrise, as his shoulders.
Gasztonyi. “It’s amazing how many people will cooperate.” In fact, his biggest obstacle was often the staff at the various hotels he frequented. They weren’t so keen on his photos showing the often deplorable conditions of the tiny rooms. There were hairy moments like the time he found himself at a crack cocaine party. He observed quietly from a corner, careful not to pass judgment. “They were so high, they kinda forgot about me,” recalls Gasztonyi. At times the toll exacted on his own well-being was so high, he stayed away from the Downtown Eastside for months. But he always returned. “I feel good when I’m there,” says Gasztonyi. “You feel like the people there want to be remembered, they want their life represented. “ With his camera, he’s done just that.
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
New Westminster photographer Gabor Gasztonyi spent six years documenting the lives of people living in single occupancy rooms in the hotels of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Discarded by society, Gasztonyi wanted to tell their stories, give their worn, sallow faces life and dimension. “I’ve seen so many photographs of people on the street rather than where they lived,” says Gasztonyi. “When they’re in their home, they can be who they really are.” Visiting the Downtown Eastside, a small camera always around his
neck, Gasztonyi got to know some of its characters, who introduced him to other people, invited him into their apartments. Being disabled himself that necessitates walking with a cane helped break down some barriers. But more importantly he listened to them with an empathetic ear. “You have to try to get under the surface and gain their trust,” says
Gasztonyi will be giving a talk at the New Westminster public library on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. Pre-register at the library or by calling 604-527-4667.
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