The Vanishing Culture of Venice Beach

In a western culture where societal norms have rendered in-person contact and spontaneous generosity scarce, Venice Beach is one of the last places where free spirited moments and random acts of kindness still occur frequently and between complete strangers. My project candidly documents these magical moments and the people who take part in them, from the buff Muscle Beach body builders to the frail intoxicated hippies living the bohemian lifestyle. Today, as Venice Beach comes under attack by accelerating gentrification and corporate appropriation of its cultural wealth I feel an urgency to document this endangered culture while it is still very much alive.