# Homeless Possession Photography John Kilar's Skid Row Photography is Powerful and Heart-Wrenching By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-04-14 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skid-row-photography References: [vice](http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/homelessness-photo-series-John-Kilar) & [johnkilar](http://www.johnkilar.com/life/) John Kilar's [Skid Row photography project](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-last-resort-exhibition) for VICE UK is truly inspiring. Skid Row is known as a particularly squalid, destitute neighborhood and home for the impoverished, located in the city of Los Angeles. In an attempt to gentrify, the city pursued a [public health initiative](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/poverty-solutions) -- citing a recent tuberculosis outbreak as the impetus -- that would seize the possessions of its inhabitants. The project was interrupted by a court injunction granted to advocacy groups, who argued that what the city considered "trash," was actually the only remaining property of this marginalized group. Intent to document the [meager belongings of the residents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unwelcome-home), John Kilar headed down to Skid Row. His photographic subjects included Michelle, a 42-year-old who has been living in Skid Row for the past decade. Her "whole life" consists of her dog Skippy, a wheelchair, a dog bowl, shoes, a bag and a suitcase of clothing. Another resident, Alex, laments that, "Everybody's sh*t gets stolen every day." He carries with him a Bible, gloves, a tarp, a shopping cart, a blanket, a radio and a hat. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 89% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Homelessness Awareness:** Creating innovative ways to shed light on the issue of homelessness to inspire change from corporations and governments. - **Documentary Photography:** Exploring new ways to visually tell stories and creatively document real-world issues through photography and other mediums. - **Community Advocacy:** Encouraging community-based groups to advocate for marginalized groups and provide direct support to those in need. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Photography:** Using photography to bring attention and inspire change for social issues affecting communities. - **Community Outreach:** Developing innovative strategies that bring much-needed support to homeless populations and governments advocating for policies that support marginalized groups. - **Advocacy Groups:** Forming advocacy groups and setting up grassroots campaigns to combat issues affecting marginalized communities through political and legal strategies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Homelessness-Supporting Blanket Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-klein.md) - [Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-roomsets.md) - [Skateboard-Themed Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rabbit-hole-1.md) - [Photography Project Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1.md) - [Homeless Support Backpacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-makeshift-traveler-backpack.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Homelessness Metaverse Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metaverse-campaign.md) - [British Youth-Culture Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-away.md) - [Dramatic Doomsday Bunker Images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alastair-philip-wiper.md)