VHS Cinema Relics

Soundtrack Portraits

This series transforms humble audio cassettes into sculpted portraits of cultural icons whose lives and art intersected with Venice Beach. Unspooled ribbon becomes line, texture, and shadow—capturing the spirit of musicians, actors, and dreamers who shaped both Hollywood and the Venice community. These pieces were included in the film, and the original audio cassettes are incorporated in each of the works.

In this collection, vintage VHS cassettes are repurposed and painted, sculpted into striking silhouettes of film legends whose lives and work are connected to Venice Beach. All pieces below are featured in the movie, Alchemy in Venice, currently in production. The original VHS from one of their films is included in each work of art.

Charlie Chaplin shot movies here and lived at the Waldorf on the boardwalk. Orson Welles captured his famous Touch of Evil tracking shot here in Venice. And Jim Morrison spent time in Venice Beach, as portrayed in The Doors movie, also shot in Venice Beach.

Each piece reclaims discarded media to honor cinema’s enduring bond with this community. These works celebrate Venice not only as a backdrop, but as a muse for generations of storytellers.

Marilyn Monroe - Some Like it Hot

18 X 24

Audio Cassette Ribbon on Canvas

$2,500

Bob Dylan - Bringing it All Back Home

18 X 24

Audio Cassette Ribbon on Canvas

$2,500 SOLD

Charlie Chaplan - The Gold Rush

22 X 29

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$3,500

Jim Morrison - The Doors

22 X 29

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$3,500

Touch of Evil: Venice

31X 21

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$3,500

Using recycled VHS tapes and vintage video materials, this piece honors Orson Welles’ legendary film Touch of Evil, whose famous opening tracking shot was filmed in Venice. By embedding the physical media that once carried the film, the artwork becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating cinema’s past while connecting to the filmmaking spirit behind Alchemy in Venice.

Using recycled VHS tapes and vintage video materials, this piece honors Charlie Chaplin, one of cinema’s most influential pioneers, who filmed and spent time in Venice during Hollywood’s early creative years. By incorporating obsolete film media into the artwork, the piece becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating cinema’s enduring legacy while connecting to the filmmaking spirit behind Alchemy in Venice.

Using recycled VHS tapes and vintage video materials, this piece honors Jim Morrison, whose music and rebellious artistic spirit were closely tied to Venice Beach, where The Doors filmed and performed during the rise of the counterculture. By embedding vintage video media into the composition, the artwork becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating Venice’s creative legacy while connecting to the artistic world behind Alchemy in Venice.

Using audio cassette ribbon and recycled music media, this piece honors Marilyn Monroe and the enduring magic of Some Like It Hot, reflecting her connection to Venice Beach during Hollywood’s golden era. By transforming analog tape from the film’s soundtrack into a layered portrait, the artwork becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating the timeless relationship between music and cinema while connecting to the creative spirit behind Alchemy in Venice.

Using audio cassette ribbon and recycled music media, this piece honors Bob Dylan and the spirit of Mr. Tambourine Man, inspired by a street musician Dylan encountered carrying a tambourine in Venice. By transforming analog tape into a layered portrait, the artwork becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating the enduring relationship between music, place, and storytelling while connecting to the creative spirit behind Alchemy in Venice.

Jim Morrison - LA WOMAN

18 X 24

Audio Cassette Ribbon on Canvas

$2,500

Using audio cassette ribbon and recycled music media, this piece honors Jim Morrison and the enduring legacy of L.A. Woman, reflecting his deep connection to Venice Beach, where he spent time during the rise of The Doors and the city’s countercultural music scene. By transforming analog tape from the album’s cassette into a layered portrait, the artwork becomes both tribute and artifact—celebrating the powerful relationship between music, place, and artistic rebellion while connecting to the creative spirit behind Alchemy in Venice.