Take None/Give None evolved from a long-term relationship between photographer Gusmano Cesaretti and the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club, the oldest integrated motorcycle club in the United States. Founded in 1959 in South Central LA as an all-black club, the Chosen Few integrated in 1960, welcoming members of all races and backgrounds into their fold.
At the heart of this exhibition is the Club’s visionary founder Lionel “Father” Ricks, who passed away in 2017. Cesaretti created thousands of still photographs documenting club members and activities (such as Ricks’ funeral).
This exhibition, titled after the Club’s motto, consists of circa 40 color and black & white photographs and a recently completed 120-minute documentary (to be shown in a special public screening). None of these photographs have yet been printed and publicly exhibited. A preview of some of this material was showcased in MOCA’s exhibition Art In the Streets from 2011.