Time Is Running Out for Venice's Artists

Regular readers, along with anyone who's been paying attention, will already know that Venice is ground zero for displacement and gentrification.

More than 270 rent-stabilized buildings in Venice have been removed from the market (many via the Ellis Act). Where are the tenants supposed to go?

A disproportionately high number of home-sharing ordinance citations have been issued in Venice. In one case, three separate units in one small building were cited. Where are the former residents of those homes?

And don't get me started on the Waldorf Hotel, formerly home to 36 low-income households.

Venice has long been known as an artists' community, for the very good reason that when it was a rough neighborhood, creative people could afford to live there and weren't too good for a little grit. Few artists are left; there are too few affordable rentals remaining on the market.

But here's the thing about artists: we have an uncanny ability to get the last word.

Venice artist Kelly Kuvo has invited me to share her Doomsday Clock. And yes, that is Venice legend Gerry Fialka in the first picture.

The following pictures were taken at Small World Books, aka the historic former studio of Venice artist Earl Newman, during Kelly's art exhibition opening night with Venice Art Crawl (which ironically was arranged by the Venice Chamber of Commerce, who seem to be celebrating Venice's gentrification).

Kelly's Doomsday Clock was meant to be seen by Art Crawl visitors, particularly Chamber members. However, it was also meant for the many tourists staying in Venice and for the many, MANY Angelenos who are somehow still oblivious to what is happening to Venice.