Article

The Contours of Creativity: Public Art, Cultural Landscapes, and Urban Space in Venice, California

This cross-sectional study examines spatial and thematic patterns of public art in Venice, Los Angeles's bohemian beach community, to determine how public wall art marks the cultural landscape. To do this, 353 items of public art were field surveyed, photographed, and mapped, with the resulting inventory being subjected to content analysis. Data from secondary sources, including the city's history and demographics, were used to contextualize the results. The results indicate that most public art is located on commercial buildings, with a smaller concentration on residential buildings. A majority of public art in Venice includes three main types of elements: local elements, people, and nature. Although public art is an especially dynamic and ephemeral subject of study, I conclude that an analysis of the locations and themes of public art helps to explain its aesthetic and historic functions and demonstrates its role in Venice's cultural landscape.

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