Venice on Film: Shadows in Tape

Venice Icons in Ribbon and Sound

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.

Bob Dylan, whose Tambourine Man found inspiration here, and Marilyn Monroe once called Venice home.

Together, these works honor a lineage where film, music, and place converge, reminding us of Venice’s enduring role in shaping artistic history.

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

$750

Bob Dylan - Bringing it All Back Home

18 X 24

Audio Cassette Ribbon on Canvas

$750 SOLD

Charlie Chaplan - The Gold Rush

22 X 29

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$1,500 SOLD

Jim Morrison - The Doors

22 X 29

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$1,500

Orson Welles - Touch of Evil

31X 21

VHS Tape; Acrylic on Reclaimed Wood

$1,500