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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe representation in Venice Beach\u2019s tourist facilities was one that focused on bodies and sexualisation as it was all about personal appearance. All the clothing that was on sale in the area was either referring to the wearers body and praising it or it was about Venice Beach or LA. It gave the impression of being incredibly self-centred and self-glorifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIn terms of local media, there was the Argonaut which focuses on Venice includes sections about the local community which looked at homelessness as well as reopening shops after COVID. There\u2019s also a section on food and drink which looks at places in the local area and advertises them. There was also a free magazine available which looked at expensive real estate in the area which further exemplifies the fact the area has been gentrified completely as the prices were so expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe concept of \u2018Free Venice\u2019 seems like a dated term to some locals, one vintage shop owner believes that whilst they are trying to keep Venice independent from the rest of LA, it is very difficult to maintain hope for many local businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhilst prices skyrocket and local businesses struggle, the notion to save Venice has been reduced to near complacency in reaction to change. This acceptance has come from riots and the destruction of homes around 20 years ago where residents where trying to get rid of big corporations such as Google but they no longer want the violence in the area so this has been eradicated from the area and locals say Venice is the most peaceful it has been in the past 10 years. The locals are welcoming of local businesses as that fits in with the idea of the original Venice and they are more than accommodating of spending their money in these businesses however, they are stating they are struggling to keep doing so as they are expensive and they sometimes cannot afford the prices (shops are now designer e.g. a sunglass shop selling shades of \u00a31000 upwards).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe restoration of these new buildings has very bright and vibrant colours where the newly restored homes show a strong difference from the old and the new shops are very modern, stylish and internet worthy and drag away from the old style Venice architecture that was originally implemented in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe spoke to several business owners who said that 90% of businesses on Abbot Kinney
Boulevard were independent. Businesses that were not independent \u2014 like RayBans, Adidas, and Aesop \u2014 had ensured their storefronts were not garish and were in line with the surrounding architecture. Freddie\u2019s Flowers, a British business, has chosen Venice as their first place to expand their business in the United States \u2014 highlighting the presence of gentrification and independent businesses in Venice. Some independent storefronts said that the stores were moving location, potentially due to high commercial rent as a result of gentrification. Most business owners were satisfied with gentrification and knew the local residents, but were potentially part of the wave of gentrification sweeping through Venice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe saw murals of scientists and the founder of Venice, Abbot Kinney. The main street in Venice that stores and food places are on is called Abbot Kinney Boulevard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Group 2: Kitty, Kam, Maddy, Osian, Vicky, Bhavika, Noah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Predominantly the media has represented Venice accurately. The culture surrounding enhancing mind and body is evident. There is a strong sense of self-awareness, both spiritually – the \u2018hippy\u2019 population (relating to The New Age)- and physically (those who frequent Muscle Beach and partaking in other physical activities, such as running, cycling, skateboarding and swimming). The media fails to illustrate the prevalence of the LGBT community. Venice is shown to be welcoming towards those marginalised people. The local shops along the boardwalk primarily cater towards tourists. They are rather low market which is a stark contrast to the other shops in the area. Beyond the boardwalk, into There is shown to be a lack of evidence to suggest a \u2018Free Venice\u2019. The continuing challenges to remain independent from the city are therefore apparent. For example the prevalence of certain chains, most notably Starbucks, the uniqueness of Venice is at times challenging to observe. It has inevitably fallen victim to globalisation, and the subsequent emergence of \u2018clone towns\u2019. There is an assortment of old and new houses, indicating gentrification occurring. Having spoken to some locals, there is a strong sense that the long term residents are \u2018confused\u2019 by the concept of leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is strong evidence to illustrate this process occurring, despite resistance. There has been drastic changes occurring over time. The area originally was recognised as artistic, but locals argue the extent of this is no longer present. Key examples that suggest gentrification include the following: The New Age, which is reminiscent of the 60s, is present with psychic readings, crystals, zodiac related goods and cannabis available for purchase. The Beatniks culture is also visible. Correlation between Brighton and Venice is evident, most notably, the inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community, skating culture, and the spatial element of fashion (the style is unique to the area).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Group 3: Lizzie S, Morgan, Lizzie H, Dom, Maddie, Rose<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Along the Venice Beachfront, also known as \u2018boardwalk\u2019, you come across a wide variety of street shops and tourist shops. There are many selling items that could be considered souvenirs with Venice\/Los Angeles logos. There are multiple clothing stores aimed at tourists, as well as stores selling masks, tattoos, food, marijuana, surf lessons, or skateboards. There was no shortage of eateries, however, was less typical to find sit-down restaurants and most were takeaway. A 5-minute walk from the beach front, you find hotels and more restaurants, but also supermarkets, a post office, and a bank. There is an almost juxta-positioning of unhealthy restaurants on the beach front facing the recreational sports spaces which had one protein shake shop in the space. The area is presented as relaxed and as an artistic community with multiple murals displayed through the streets eastward and towards more gentrified areas such as the canals. On the boardwalk, it is common to be approached by local artists selling CD and promoting their music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travelling eastward into Venice, we encountered more homelessness with tents sprawled together and along the sides of pavements. After speaking with locals of the area, we discovered that a year ago there were more homeless people and expressed how little there are now even though we still passed big groups of tents. The location of the homeless was right beside the canals and Venice Boulevard, seen by anyone driving in and out of Venice making it seem that homelessness is being ignored while people drive passed them. This homeless population, we assume, has been relocated to Skid Row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Free Venice Beachhead is an underground newspaper that has been run by volunteers since 1968. Claiming to be the paper of the community, the paper focusses on local issues and includes photos, drawings, letters, poems, cartoons and adverts from local people and organisations. It is also involved in local politics \u2013 a recent article titled \u2018Will Black Lives Matter this VNC Election\u2019 published in May 2021 highlights the importance of certain issues to residents of the Venice neighbourhood, particularly the black and brown community, who are encouraged to vote for Brian Averill due to his ability to work with \u2018all sectors of the Venice community\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gentrification of housing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homes in the traditional style are bungalow style. Around the canals there are some very large and modern looking homes which tie into the gentrification affecting the area. They are near the seafront and must be very expensive. Lots more greenery than other places we\u2019ve visited, but not as manicured as Orange county for example. Lots of flowers, plants bushes and grass. These all need watering, unlike cactuses which likely are native to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local woman has been living in her home for 9 months, prior to living in West Hollywood, she moved to be closer to the beach because she loves it. Her one storey bungalow home she says is local to the area, maybe built around the 1900s, and repainted in a fun colourful style 2 years previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Body Culture and Sports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Venice beach hosts large sports facilities as a part of the recreational centre including multiple basketball courts, an open – air gym (muscle beach), a skatepark and a plethora of other activities for all to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Venice beach hosts 4 full size basketball courts and a further basketball court with stands for spectators. This hosts an integral part of the wider beach front with locals forming teams often 3 a side in a pick – up style format with a rotation in teams. Furthermore, Venice beach hosts its own basketball league on these courts known colloquially as the VBL. Immense competition and skill is demonstrated both in the league and the pick – up games, in which Venice beach is regarded as one of the best streetball courts in the world. A local resident describes this saying \u201cplaying out on the beach is a really unique thing it\u2019s a different style of play as you are playing against the wind on a court that is designed for drainage\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The variety of players on the court varies with all skillsets, ages and body – shapes welcome to play. This encompasses a feeling of community through competition although the games can be taken incredibly seriously. The age range was on display on our visit in which older people were seen playing at a high intensity even with those younger than them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muscle Beach has an open gym which requires a pass and membership for entrance to the gym, with a day pass at $10. Muscle beach has hosted notable figures such as Arnold Schwarznegger and members often use this gym. With incredible athleticism and strength on display this is not considered a suitable environment for the regular human. In the open gym we got speaking with a somebody who is a stunt double, showing the intertwining of many people in Hollywood. Being a stunt man involves working outside of regular hours, so he can come down to the beach any time, and also ties into the industries which attract many people to LA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the basketball games were high in intensity, all types of players were welcomed, whether they were older and not as skilled and also wearing whatever clothes they wanted. Meanwhile, only the most intense and hardcore are \u2018permitted\u2019 into muscle beach, where appearance is everything. This highlights the contrast between the two different communities in such a tight and confined area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Group 4: Lily, Louka, Grace, Keir, Lucy, Anne-Claire<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Venice Beach showed little signs of gentrification yet had a variety of similar shopfronts, selling merchandise and tourist mementos. The front seemed quite rundown and functioned mostly for tourists and day guests, providing your typical seafront experience with a fitness and leisure attraction. The main street \u201cAbbot Kinney\u201d provided more independent looking shops and restaurants yet was clearly gentrified and made for middle class young professionals with boutique stores, markets, and health food cafes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Venice economy seems to function off independent stores and retail and played into the pre-conceived ideas of Venice and the type of economic activity. Whilst walking around we saw many people who appeared to be part of an underground scene and went against consumerism and mainstream culture, this tied into what we previously learnt about Venice. This also is a sign of Venice\u2019s independent spirit and anti-corporate ideals. Along the beachfront, there were many small artist and experience stalls (tarot readings and crystal shops) these were run by local struggling artists and seemingly homeless people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Kinney\u2019s canals were built over, but have later been uncovered. There are peek boxes around Venice that allow people to see streets before modern development. On Venice Beach, there is a metal structure that spells out A-K (for Abbot Kinney).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
downtown Venice, shops\u2019 target demographic is wealthy, young professionals. The demographic appears to be somewhat mixed – along the beachfront there are ethnic minorities and homeless populations, while young, white, wealthy individuals frequent the rest of Venice. There are suggestions of an enclosed community; individualists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Supposedly high quality stores; ethically and environmental conscious
\u2022 Higher end cars
\u2022 Branded stores, e.g. Lululemon
\u2022 Beautification
\u2022 High-end veganism
\u2022 Presence of the \u2018health tax\u2019
\u2022 High-end dispensaries
\u2022 House renovations
\u2022 Manual labour of which is provided by Hispanic populations
\u2022 Surplus of schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
There weren\u2019t many signs of a continuing struggle for independence from the city, although we saw a piece of graffiti street art that alluded to the \u201cfree Venice\u201d cause. Apart from one Starbucks, there weren\u2019t many chain companies in the area, showing the community\u2019s anti-corporate sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n