Las Paganas draws deeply from the introspective and self-reflective journey of Lu Rodiger, whose work is shaped by the tumultuous path of his life. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, and later moving to San Diego to live with his grandmother without his parents around, to later the dissolution of his marriage, and the fading of his passion for playing music. These trials have become fertile ground for his artistic expression - morphing his anger into a cosmic brute-force sword going on the offense - manifesting in vivid, almost surreal film photography. His work channels the haunting, lucid nightmares and existential visions that emerged during these periods, transforming them into meticulously crafted visual narratives. Rodiger spends months conceptualizing and constructing his sets, from handcrafting props and gowns to selecting the perfect model to embody his vision. His process is deliberate, often culminating in just a handful of shots — each frame an intentional, singular moment from a vision. Explore these film photographs at Hotwater Gallery. Las Paganas exhibit, 9/14-10/31