DOGTOWN is a street photography project that captures the
lively and humanistic essence of the dogs of Venice Beach, California.
The book draws its name from »Dogtown«, an area of
West Los Angeles known for the rebellious surfers and skateboarders
who populated the slums of Venice and Santa Monica’s
Ocean Park in the 1960s and 70s. This cultural phenomenon has
left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and influence new
generations. Today, it is the dogs of all breeds and social statuses
that have taken over Venice Beach, many of whom have adopted
Dogtown’s iconic skateboarding culture. American photographer
Dotan Saguy masterfully showcases these dogs in unexpected,
humorous, and touching moments, captured in expressive black
and white photography. His images emphasize the gritty reality
and dynamic energy of Venice Beach life, reflecting the spontaneity
and unpredictable nature of his canine subjects. In a
modern homage to Elliott Erwitt, Saguy’s work highlights the
quirky and emotional spirit of the dogs and DOGTOWN is a musthave
for dog lovers and anyone captivated by the enduring spirit
of this iconic locale.
From the text A Bit of Dogtown History by Dotan Saguy:
As the surf was not always up, however, skateboarding also became
a popular afternoon activity among this group. Right around
the same time two major developments collided into a perfect
storm of opportunity for the Z-Boys. First, the invention of grippy
polyurethane wheels enabled the young surfers to replicate their
quick low turns on asphalt. And second, a major drought struck
Southern California, forcing residents to let their private swimming
pools dry out. This combination prompted the Z-Boys to
start skating the empty private pools of surrounding upscale
neighborhoods, inventing new skateboarding moves that we still
take for granted today—at least until the cops showed up and
everybody split. The rest is history.
From the text Why a Book About Dogs by Dotan Saguy:
''Those who know my street and documentary photography work
may wonder: why dogs? Dogs have been a big part of my personal
life. I grew up with a boxer rescue named Gus and now my sixyear-
old Goldendoodle Beau sometimes accompanies me on my
street photography adventures. Canines were already well represented
in my 2018 book Venice Beach, but after completing that
body of work I decided that dogs were so central to Venice—and
to my heart—that they deserved their own photography project.''
Dotan Saguy resides in Los Angeles, California. He has been conducting
street photography, travel and documentary workshops
for Leica Akademie and more recently through his own company,
Storyteller Workshops, launched in collaboration with his editor
and friend Gail Fisher. His award-winning photography has been
featured by National Geographic, The Guardian, The Los Angeles
Times, and other prominent publications. His debut monograph,
Venice Beach: The Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise, released in
2018 by Kehrer Verlag and now in its second edition, received a
Bronze award from the prestigious Deutscher Fotobuchpreis.
With DOGTOWN, Kehrer Verlag presents Saguy's third monograph,
continuing his exploration of vibrant street life and subcultures.
