The last days of Bohemian paradise: crazy Venice beach in the lens of an Israeli photographer

Los Angeles has its own "Venice", famous for endless, hilarious chaos. This area of the city has always attracted people of creative professions and tourists from all over the world. Venice Beach is a special place where you can find any subculture and entertainment. Dotan Sagai photographs this magical location, creating images filled with unbridled fun.

Before this place became one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, it was a cultural hotbed where hippies, skateboarders, athletes and musicians felt at home. It was here that Tim Morris wrote most of the hits for The Doors, and Arnold Schwarzenegger spent time doing bodybuilding. Now this "bohemian paradise" is in danger of extinction, as fewer and fewer people can afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment for $ 5,000 a month.

Israeli photographer Dotan Sagai focuses on moments that may turn out to be the last flashes of cheerfulness and fun on America's most popular beach. His new book, titled Venice Beach: The Last Days of Bohemian Paradise, contains magnificent black-and-white photographs documenting the fading culture of the beach.

Dotan moved to Los Angeles in 2003. After 12 years, he left his entrepreneurial career to pursue photography. Now Dotan Sagai successfully conducts several projects and his works are published in National Geographic. The photographer was awarded many prizes, including awards for Venice Beach pictures.

Sagai captures moments showing the unusual nature of the beach. It becomes clear why Venice Beach is the second largest tourist center in California, after Disneyland. The diversity of people in Venice Beach is fascinating: bodybuilders, the elderly, musicians, inventors, mothers with children, travelers and the homeless – all get along perfectly in one incredibly lively place.

Dotan Sagai photographs tattooed, costumed, original and, most importantly, freedom-loving visitors to Venice Beach. In his pictures, you can find many unusual ways to have fun, dress up and get creative. Although photographs cannot fully convey the pace of life of Los Angeles bohemians, a drop of beach mood is still transmitted to the viewer.