Last Days Of A Bohemian Paradise - An Evening With Dotan Saguy

I finally got to see Dotan Saguy's great photography show at Venice Arts last night for the closing reception and conversation that would kick off the four day Venice Art Crawl Afterburn extravaganza this weekend. Last Days Of A Bohemian Paradise shows off the Venice Boardwalk at its most beautiful and poignant, as we all know this last beach community of color is very much an endangered species. Saguy has been doing in photography what I have been doing with stories - trying to capture the beauty and originality of this place while it still exists.

Saguy's book of the same name was also being celebrated (and I'm creating a book of stories too!), and we got to see its wonderful photographs enlarged on the walls of the Venice Arts gallery, as local characters mingled and discussed the good old days - and what we still have. So far. Artists and hippies and all the character that has historically made Venice great is being evicted ... and we all have to ask, as the photo does below, Why are you doing this?

After an impromptu electric guitar set from Harry Perry that got folks dancing, we sat down to listen to Saguy speak on this fantastic photo project. It started super late (Venice Standard Time), but nobody seemed to mind, as Elisa from Venice Arts said, "Thank you for having a festive Venice attitude about the delay." Once the tech stuff got sorted out (maybe do that before the event next time, friends), Saguy shared the stories behind taking these photographs. He started shooting 25 years ago, and he knows that because he got a camera for a wedding present, and he and his professor wife just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. He took some classes and workshops, and assigned himself to go shoot Havana before it changed too much ... kind of like Venice.

Saguy won a National Geographic contest, and the prize was an assignment to South Korea, so he was now a real professional, and that gave him the encouragement to pursue photography as a full-time career. He was drawn to and felt connected to Venice (like most of us who chose to make it our home), and he showed a slide show of his progression in Venice. Saguy spent three years shooting the Boardwalk and its denizens, resulting in his beautiful book, completed in the summer of 2017. That was the year I reigned as Venice's Neptune Queen, and I was honored to be included in one of Saguy's photographs in the book (and am now coveting a print!).

Saguy talked about "how inclusive and generous (Venice) people are with each other ... with a tenderness to it all" ... and how that is all in danger. The project is so great that the press has been phenomenal, which brings an awareness to how special Venice is - and a responsibility to us all to preserve it. Saguy's method is best summarized by the acronym "D.I.E." - which stands for Design. Information. Emotion. - all of the elements he feels are necessary to make a great photo. And it's all there in every piece of his work. There was a photo of a surfer girl, that until he discussed it, I didn't really notice the organization and geometry of it all, and how he fills the frame with something interesting for the eye in the foreground, background, and the focal point. His pictures really are worth at least a thousand words.

Shooting in all Leica black and white lends a timeless quality to Saguy's work, and at times it's hard to tell if you're looking at the 60's or the future - should the future remain cool. That remains to be seen, and Saguy felt a responsibility and an urgency to document what still left of bohemian Venice, and create a record (same here, Brother). The Venice Freak Show, the homeless, skaters, body builders, surfers, gangsters, snakes ... they're all represented here, in all their glory. 

The Venice Boardwalk led Saguy back to Havana for his next project, where he will capture its own version of the Boardwalk, the Malecón. However, "I can't stop shooting Venice", so he's also at work on a project about the homeless and their pets, as well as one about Van Life. Awesome.

The Venice cast of characters celebrated with Saguy (seen below, the one who's not Harry Perry, Marcus Gladney, or Sunny Bak) until we got kicked out of Venice Arts and took it on over to James Beach, but I think we all felt happy to be together and to know that in some small way, we've all contributed to this creative mecca by the sea. With photos, stories, and each other - we'll always have Venice.

Last Days Of A Bohemian Paradise is available in book form and in photographic prints limited to 10 of each photo at www.dotansaguy.com. Saguy will also be teaching a Leica master class in Venice, March 29-31, 2019 (information on his website).

Long Live Venice!

Find People On The Same Wavelength

The waves are big again today, and it was a beautiful morning out there watching the surfers catch actual air. On my way back, I saw this big sign on one of the Boardwalk shops reading, "Find people on the same wavelength." It's an ad, of course, for some business networking app, but the sentiment is exactly why I first moved to Venice.

I was living in Beverly Hills when I first moved to California, and though I had a great roommate in a great pad on a great street, I didn't really dig it. B.H. wasn't me at all. I'd find myself coming to Venice every weekend, both to soak up the beach atmosphere, art, and fun, but also to find a place - which I ultimately did, and was so happy! For two decades.

Venice people were on my same wavelength for sure. That's why it's so sad to see the recent influx of people that are mainly about greed and self-consumption doing their best to take over our bohemian lifestyle by the beach. My brother left Venice a few years ago, and as we were looking for parking the other night for dinner, he said, "I can't stand Venice. It's all douchebags now." Ugh. Gut punch. We know he's not correct about it being ALL douchebags, but he's got a point. That's why I continue to seek out and write about those who remain on my wavelength near the waves ... and pretend like the d-bags don't exist. Kind of like we do here in our Venice bubble anyway. I know many of you in my community of similar souls are still here ... and I thank you for it. As for the rest of you ... try OUR wavelength. Present day hippies are happier.

Kelly Slater's Apolitical Process

There was a real fun art opening last night in Venice when Kelly Slater brought his vision of an artistic journey through the 2016 election to the Folding Table Gallery on Main Street. Apolitical Process was curated by PM Tenore and features the work of Kevin Ancell, Todd Glaser, and Bruce Reynolds. All the pieces reflect what's going on in the current mess of getting a new President elected, and aim to expose the truths, dangers, hypocrisy and misinformation, according to the writing on the wall.

The place was jam packed and the crowd was spilling out on to the street on a balmy evening. The bar was open, and everyone was enjoying it as they checked out all the great work. Every last piece was awesome, and meant to provoke discussion and promote the questioning of the powers that be (also on the wall). Right on.

It was all very impressive, and no punches were pulled when it came to skewering those that deserve it. Like Ben Carson. About Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (It's Not Uncle Tom) 2016,  Reynolds captioned with "How a black neurosurgeon who has supported a presidential candidate, who is running a campaign that has courted white nationalism with dogwhistle politics. All coming on the heels  of the first black man to become President Of The United States." With Carson's face on rice boxes. It would be funny if weren't so sad and true.

There were a lot of guns on the walls, which is automatically heavy, especially considering all the shooting of innocent people going on these days. It's hard to even think about ... but we have to. We have to make sense of it somehow in order to STOP. IT.

Reynolds had a bunch of great sculptures, and an obvious intelligence and wit, as seen in his cuckoo clock piece, making a statement even with the material chosen - cuckoo.

One of my favorite Reynolds pieces was Bye Bye Miss American Pie, 2016. Its caption read "This piece represents American Democracy under attack and being stripped of its dignity by this political cycle. AMEN. It's based on the Esquire magazine cover that featured Muhammad Ali after he was stripped of his title for draft evasion - when really he should have been applauded. It's powerful stuff.

Todd Glaser had some gorgeous, silvery photographs, one featuring Slater, who was in the house having a great time with friends and fans alike.

The crowd was heavy on the surfers, of course, and everywhere you looked there was another friend, another local, all there to support both Slater and his very profound vision.

Kevin Ancell painted an entire quiver of Slater's boards in the black and white patterns of an Orca, which Slater asked for after being extra moved by the documentary Blackfish. Names of friends who have passed away were etched into the boards, giving a patina of sadness to the beauty of the memorial.

All the heavy subject matter couldn't put a damper on the spirits of the party goers, however, as everyone was having a grand old time, that got even more fun when the band struck up, with Slater fronting them on vocals. It appears that there is very little that this super man cannot do. Geez.

The band was cranking, turning the energy up even higher in perhaps one of the best reactions to all of the madness that one can have ... as Emma Goldman famously said, "If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution."

Thanks to all involved for a great, thought-provoking, rocker of a night!

Apolitical Process is on now through October 9, 2016. You want to see this show.

Folding Table Gallery
210 San Juan Avenue (corner of Main Street)
Venice

Clothing Optional

I passed this vehicle while walking down Venice Boulevard, and while it was super tempting ...

... I left 'em on. This time.

This reminds me of the days when surfers and beach bums parked up and down the coast, having fun parking/crashing close to where the waves were good, and nobody cared. Freedom. The Wild West. The Golden State. Good Vibrations. Simpler times. Clothing optional.

Postcards From The Edge

I guess I still have Thanksgiving stuck in my craw, because this morning as I took my walk on the beach, I was so overcome with gratitude I had tears in my eyes. It was one of the most beautiful mornings on this Earth, and one sight was lovelier than the next.

It felt pretty selfish to have all this all to myself, so I thought you might like to join me on my heart-swelling stroll. Blue skies and bright sunshine accompanied me every step of the way, and the only way you knew it was December was the big sand berms built for the winter swells.

Surfers were out in droves this morning on the glassy water, and every wave was a party wave.

 I've always thought it was weird that surfers and skaters had the rep of being slackers and ne'er do wells, when those guys and girls are the early birds, out there getting it before most worker drones have even gotten out of bed.

The graffiti walls were brightly painted, and where one side looked like a glazed-out Jesus watching the surfers ...

... the other side proclaimed that He rocks. On a day this gorgeous, it would be hard to disagree.

As I felt so much love inside for Venice as I walked around, it was reflected back at me everywhere I went. The ocean air, the palm trees, the colorful characters, past and present, (as I definitely felt the presence of some Venice ghosts this morning ... Bobby Brown - The World's Greatest Wino, Dr. Geek the rapper, and Dr. John the activist were all on my mind and profoundly felt), friends waving as you pass by, all the art, waves, the Skatepark, the mom and pop stores hanging in there ... I love it all so much. And I'll fight to keep it a place "Where the weather is warm, and the people are cool". And I'm not alone.

Heading back home in a hurry - as I'd spent a little too much time in reflection and appreciation mode - I got one more affirmation peeking through the trees.

I hope you've enjoyed your postcards from the Western edge even a fraction as much as I enjoyed living it in the moment.

We love you, Venice!



*It's now later in the afternoon. There was just another mass shooting in America, this time in California. After reading absolutely insane comments from people in other parts of the country about it all online, I want to add how EXTRA grateful I am to live in the Venice bubble. Where people tend to talk reasonably, be informed, keep an open mind, and practice tolerance and love with everyone from all walks of life. At least in my world. THANK YOU!

Kevin Ancell: Nos Vemos En Venecia!

There was a great art opening in Venice last night, and you could tell it was great before you even stepped inside. The overflow crowd spilled out into the street, where an impromptu street party just naturally happened. It was a celebration for the art of Kevin Ancell, another Dogtown legend.

Upon squeezing into the great space on Main Street, I thought it was a group show at first, so diverse were the styles and materials used. But nope, it was all Ancell, and it was all fantastic.

Right inside the door was a memorial to the old P.O.P., complete with burning candles illuminating the painted surfboard that probably surfed that pier.

I was especially taken by the oils that could fit right into the Sistine Chapel, but upon closer examination it was guys with surfboards, when Jesus Heals The Kooks (2014). Classic.

From traditional oils to a whole different medium, with shelves of ceramic busts of a woman who nearly turned Ancell into dust (per the book accompanying the show) in his Love Is A Dog From Hell (2015). Deep.

Ancell himself accepted congratulations as he milled through the crowd dressed in all white, with a Hawai'ian ti leaf lei around his neck as the man being honored. The accolades were well-deserved, of course, as one piece was cooler than the next.

Like Porn (2015), a depiction of Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, with the image created out of the word "Porn" written over and over with graphite on paper. Creative and cutting and patient and wow.

There was a great oil painting of a homeless man pushing his cart down Abbot Kinney from the past to the future, in Moses Seeking Pharaoh (2015), a strong commentary on what has happened to the former West Washington Boulevard. It's powerful stuff.

Carrying on with powerful, there was a replica of an atom bomb, Kaboom: Nobody Ride For Free (2015), that one could actually ride up and down, in Ancell's homage to Dr. Strangelove. This proved to be a very popular attraction, as partiers took turns climbing aboard the bomb. Kaboom!

A chandelier of female busts lit the proceedings, and let you know that Ancell is one of those artists that sees the art in everything, and refuses to be limited by any one style or material. I dig that.

There was so much going on in the masterful Madonna (2013) that I'm probably going to go back and look at it some more when there isn't such a big crowd trying to see it. Featuring the homeless, gang members, graffiti and the cops all being watched over by glowing angels and the Madonna, it really is something to behold.

It was stiflingly hot in the gallery, so we inched our way back to the door where it was rumored that House beer was on ice. I never found that, but instead found that the party outside had grown even bigger, food trucks had arrived, as had a lot more revelers. Party without a permit!

A big old Dogtown reunion was in full effect ... legendary skaters, surfers, and artists of that legendary era all joined together again for a photo to celebrate one of their own. People were tearing it up on the roof and in the street, all the way into the fact that things were as they should be in Venice.

As C.R. Stecyk III wrote for the show's book, "The area has always been an entrepot for alternative culture, a haven for eccentrics, outcasts, outlaws and geniuses who if they weren't truly mad, they were at least excited." Truth. And last night, everyone was excited.

Kevin Ancell: Nos Vemos En Venecia runs now through October 15th at 1320 Main Street, Venice.

Nos Vemos En Venicia! See you in Venice!

The 2015 Waterman's Ball Honoring Perry Farrell!

Freshly back in town and feeling all madly back in love with Venice and California, it got even better and more confirmed when my friends, The Farrells invited me to attend the 2015 Waterman's Ball where Perry was to be honored with the Environmentalist of the Year Award! Hell, yeah! Etty dropped the hint that there was also going to be a performance by Porno For Pyros - and life got even better.

We zipped down to Laguna Niguel to the Ritz-Carlton, where the 26th Annual Waterman's Ball was being held, just as the sun set on an unusually hot day by the sea, casting the entire event in an appropriately Golden State kind of light. It was a truly stunning setting, honoring some truly stunning people.

Everyone was decked out in "Creative Black Tie", which meant that you saw everything from beaded gowns to flowered Bermuda shorts. It was some great people watching, and I think this cute couple won Best Dressed for me. The dress was Mara Hoffman, and the woman had drawn waves on the guy's jacket to match. Creative! I loved it.

In the ladies room, I had a moment with this regal woman dressed in a black dress with a striking fuschia orchid lei on. I complimented her on it, and her eyes got all kind and crinkly with her big smile. She took my hands and said, "Oh, thank you, honey." ... and I felt like I got super powers or something from her. Like I tangibly felt stronger. I can't explain it, I just immediately adored her. We told each other to have fun, and off I went, looking at surfer dudes, and feeling kind of magic.

There was a silent auction to raise funds for the various organizations that SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) supports, with things like hotel packages, signed skateboards, and whole bunch of cool surf art. Little girls and their Moms in matching jackets from the NCL (National Charity League, I was told by a grommet girl in glasses) manned the booths, and were all smiley and informative. It was nice to see a next generation of people actually caring about things.

Things like our beautiful oceans, which was the whole real reason for being there. The silent part of the auction and cocktail hour ended, as everyone was ushered into the dining room for the surf and turf dinner. The meal was delicious, and we made new friends just in time to rock out with for a performance by Porno For Pyros, with Robert Trujillo (Metallica) filling in on bass!

OH, have we missed PFP! They jammed out "Tahitian Moon" - an all time favorite, and the entire ballroom went bananas. It's such a surfy song, and the story behind its writing happened on a surf trip, and it was all just perfect.

Then the also perfect "Ocean Size" was delivered as the video screens played giant wave footage, and Peter DiStefano did a fantastic job replicating Dave Navarro's guitar shreds from this Jane's Addiction classic. From the oceans to the mountains for "Mountain Song", which caused the room to simply erupt. It was badass, and for many, their first live taste of Porno For Pyros. That alone made my night.

That riled people up to be spirited bidders on the treasures up for the live auction. Cool things like a VIP weekend at Lollapalooza (trust me, you want that). Honoree Stephanie Gilmore bid on and won the freshly played bass guitar signed by Farrell, DiStefano and Trujillo, adding $10,000 to the oceans' coffers. You could bid on having artist Letty Nowak paint a portrait like they one she did of Rob Machado. The thing that most caught my eye and was listed as "Priceless" was the gorgeous 1935 Tom  Blake wooden paddleboard, ultimately won by Farrell himself. Yay!

Then it was time for the tributes to the honorees. Each had a video about them play before the award presentation, and when it was time for the Lifetime Achievement Award going to the late Doc Paskowitz, the room grew reverent. Paskowitz is famous for tossing aside his medical career to take his wife and nine children surfing around the world living in a van (as seen in the great documentary Surfwise), spreading the gospel of surf. It was then that I realized the regal and wonderful woman from the ladies room was Doc's beloved wife, Juliette! It all then made sense as I watched their spectacular life and love together in the video. She was magic and strong and full of love throughout their life together, and exactly what I experienced from her in our brief moment together. What a special family. When Juliette and her daughter came up to accept the award, no eye was dry as they blew a kiss above. Not mine, for sure.

Environmentalist of the Year, was next, and my friend, Perry Farrell was the well deserving recipient, presented by his Venice surfing buddy, Trujillo. This is a guy who makes sure Lollapalooza is one of the most eco-friendly festivals there is. I've been in  the family home overlooking the vast expanse of the Pacific, I've traveled across the country with the Farrells, and I can tell you that the Earth and its Oceans could not be more important to him. You can actually see him feel it in his body as he performs, as he surfs, and even just as he talks, all animated and flowing. He accepted his award with great humility, and an even greater imitation of Doc Paskowitz telling him to get rid of his Mercedes for what they did to the Jews. Another story was told about roaming about his Venice neighborhood in a towel, carrying a metal spear for protection. Those were the DAYS in Venice, and why we're all so wistful and protective about Venice now. But I digress ...

Great cheers erupted for the surfing front man as he thanked everyone and said that music goes hand in hand with surfing ... the sound waves. Trujillo and Farrell both spoke about how important it was to them as musicians to also be members of the surfing tribe. "The Ocean would always heal me," said Farrell in closing, and it was special to watch his gorgeous wife and spectacular sons watch and learn from their Dad about these things that are the most important in life ... nature, true friendship, and love of all of it.

The last award of the night was presented to Stephanie Gilmore for Waterman of the Year. Waterwoman. Mermaid. Clearly still stoked on winning the bass, she spoke with a delighted glow about her love of surfing, and how it's the best feeling in the world. "A true waterman loves what they do. They have fun. Maybe that's why I'm getting this award... And I highly recommend surfing as a job!", joked the charming, super-talented, and obviously grateful Gilmore.

After closing thanks from the SIMA people, the party split to celebrate at the upstairs bar on a perfectly starry Southern California night. As I made my way to the door, I walked straight in to Juliette Paskowitz again. We hugged and I told her I had no idea that she was the night's honoree when we met, and I was so honored to meet her and be moved by her. That same crinkly eyed smile of real, authentic living and happiness met my eyes again, and I felt the power of good people once more.

Thank you to SIMA and the Waterman's Ball for recognizing these kinds of people and everyone involved for caring about our Mother Ocean. And to the wonderful Farrells for having me as their guest ... Under the Laguna Moon.