This book brings attention to a side of society that has always been present and yet has been only superficially represented. It uses an unprecedented, and therefore controversial, approach by giving equal weight to people of such varying social standings as a homeless person, a policeman, or a rock star.
The questions asked of each person were of a personal and philosophical nature, allowing for insightful and often surprising answers. Provocative and vivid photographs serve not only to initially attract attention, but also to enhance and add depth to the stories of these ! eccentric characters.
This book consists of a series of interviews accompanied by exclusive photographs of some of the strangest, weirdest, freakiest characters of Venice Beach, California. Each of these 27 intensely unique characters is bound to the rest by one common thread, which is their compelling honesty in answering a very personal list of questions.
Venice Beach is a show case of the American society, a postcard of the America dream, and the characters that compose its scene give a great deal of insight into the nature of this society as it nears the millennium. It is one of the last places where people can be themselves and still be appreciated for what they really are.
I believe that there are issues raised here that reflect on our society. As history has proven, many time-tested searches for the truth came from dialogues between people. At its base, Fantasy Land should be taken as nothing more than a series of dialogues between people living! in a historical place.
