"Venice, CA, is a portrait of a free-spirited community. Established on the shores of the Pacific a century ago, it has been transformed by successive generations of architects and artists. Best known for its rambunctious boardwalk and sandy beach, the true Venice is hidden behind enigmatic facades. In contrast to much of L.A.'s Westside, where size and show are prized, the community has retained its tight-knit, modestly scaled character, which has challenged architects to find inventive ways of building on narrow, confined lots, and to achieve a balance of openness and privacy." "This book focuses on nearly forty extraordinary spaces and the innovators, collectors, and eccentrics who have created fascinating private worlds. From the 1980s when Frank Gehry, Frederick Fisher, and Morphosis first responded to Venice's gritty character, artists such as John Altoon, Billy Al Bengston, and Ed Moses have been drawn here by cheap loft space, ocean breezes, and a feeling of camaraderie. From the homes of Dennis Hopper, Steven Ehrlich, and Philippe Starck to the studios of Ed Ruscha, Chuck Arnoldi, and John Baldessari, Venice, CA, offers readers access into one of the world's most vibrant and distinctive communities."--Jacket.