HOUYHNHNM Skateboard Club," a skateboarding series hosted by Senichiro Ozawa, editor-in-chief of the skateboarding magazine "Sb," and Taro Hirano, a leading skateboard photographer . This is the third installment of this project, which has been running in parallel with the real events held regularly at the gallery "VACANT" in Harajuku. The theme this time was "skateboarding and art. Why did art expand the range of expression in skateboarding? From the birth of skateboarding art to the activities of Japanese artists, each speaker's thoughts and feelings are packed into the content of this event.
In the 1990s, as editor-in-chief of "WHEEL magazine," the first skateboarding magazine in Japan, he energetically covered skate culture in the United States, and in 2001, published "Sb SkateboardJournal. Since then, he has been writing not only about street culture but also about various aspects of domestic and international media while publishing regularly. His new trilogy of panda photogravure books, "HELLO PANDA," "PANDA MENTAL," and "HELLO PANDA CAKE," are now on sale.
Taro Hirano / Photographer
He studied photography as a contemporary art form at Musashino Art University. Later, he worked as an assistant at Kodansha and was involved in the launch of "WHEEL magazine" and "Sb," a skateboarding magazine, where he served as photo editor. Since then, he has been active in advertising, CD jackets, and fashion and culture magazines. His major works include the photo books "POOL", "Los Angeles Car Club", and "The Kings".
Mr. HAROSHI / Contemporary Artist
Contemporary artist with a background in skate culture, widely known by skaters around the world . Using old skateboards, he creates various sculptures. He has held numerous solo and group exhibitions, and has collaborated with various brands and companies. Currently, he is also an artist affiliated with the skate brand "HUF. Last year, he opened a gallery space "HHH Gallery" in Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, in collaboration with his friend USUGROW. haroshi.com
Instagram:@haroshi
Taku Takemura / Editor, Writer
He became familiar with BMX and skateboarding culture at an early age , and moved to the U.S. by himself at the age of 21. After returning to Japan, he worked as an editor and writer for various media and advertising projects. He is also the author of "RESTAURANT," a private brand that produces silk-screened T-shirts and other items. Creator's Journal," a collection of interviews with artists such as Aaron Rose and Ed Templeton, which is perfect for this theme.
Instagram:@meandmyburrito
Taro Hirano ("Hirano")Finally, it's the third HSC. After the store and the team, this time the theme is art. Personally, I think it's the one we should be focusing on, but what do you think, Sen-chan?
Senichiro Ozawa ("Ozawa")At our last meeting, Taro had given me a lot of ideas, so I said, "Oh, so this is Taro's real mission!" I felt like, "Oh, this is Taro's real mission! Skating and art, I'm looking forward to it too.
plainFirst of all, when you hear the words skateboarding and art, what comes to mind?
kozawa (Clausena lansium)Mark Gonzalez is an indispensable person or symbol, after all. And for us, Neil Brender. note 1. and so on.
1 He was a member of the G&S Skateboards, one of the most famous skateboarding teams of the 1980s, and is a leading figure in the skate art world, with a surreal, lowbrow drawing style on his signature decks, and an abundance of creativity and DIY spirit. Recently, he has been developing a brand new skateboard called "Polarizer".
plain. yes, that's right. I'm not certain if that is the correct truth or not, but just from our point of view, I would like to talk about skate culture and art from its beginnings.
First of all, skateboard decks always have grip tape on the surface where the skateboarder's foot touches the deck to prevent slipping, right? I think that skaters started to draw graffiti on the surface of the deck in the first place.
On the opposite side of the grip tape, the side that touches the ground, each brand printed their original graphics on the surface. In the 70's and early 80's in particular, there were many decks with the name of the brand or company on them.
So many skate decks can now be called art, but at the time, they were only recognizable as brand logos or company symbolic designs. The graffiti on the grip tape was the catalyst that brought an artistic aspect to the skate decks that were the mainstream at that time.
We ourselves saw Gonz doodling on grip tape in the mid-80s, and we still didn't see it as art at that time. . It was just graffiti by the eccentric Gonz, who was not an artist. When I think about the fact that this was an act by Gonz, who has now become a great artist, I think again, "I guess that was the beginning of art.
2 Along with Gonz, he is considered to have laid the foundation of street skating and is the godfather of the skating world. His unique style of dressing and skating was ahead of its time, and the footage of him in "Streets on Fire" released in 1989 is legendary among skaters.
plain. he was. . He was also one of the skaters who used to doodle on the grip tape of skate decks. . Since he later became a designer as well, I think he also had a talent for such artistic fields, after all.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)"QUIKSILVER!*3And [ELEMENT].*4. He's the one who did the brand signage for the For Taro, when you say skateboarder artists, you mean people like the ones just mentioned, and it all started with grip tape art for skate decks.
3 A surf brand based in Huntington Beach, California, the brand is well known to those who were into the skate culture of the 1980s, as it supported star skaters such as Reese Forbes and was a favorite of many skaters of the time, and is also associated with the skate culture. Many people are aware of the brand's association with skate culture, as it supported star skaters such as Reese Forbes, and skaters of the time patronized the brand.
. 4 The skate brand was founded in 1992 by professional skater Johnny Shiralev. Today, it has grown into a popular brand with top athletes and skaters who attract the world, including Chad Masuka and Nyjah Huston, a star of the new generation. , a non-profit organization that fosters youth, and other socially conscious activities.
plainI'm thinking it's not. And from there, finally, we see the graphics done by the skaters themselves on the back side, which is the main one in terms of design, not just doodles on the grip tape side. As far as I know, I think a skater named Neil Brender was the first.
I would like to introduce him with some video and other information, but I would like to invite Taku Takemura, who is also a friend of Neil Brender, to be my guest here. It's a little early, but please come to the front!
. 5 old-school skate decks, probably taken in the mid-80s. The artwork on the grip tape, which is the beginning of skate art, is impressive if you look closely, with Gonz's typical drawing touch and a design parodying his own name.
Like Gonz, Natas Kaupas confidently applied his artwork to the surface of his skate decks. The grip tape art on the skate deck can be seen in one of the photos of his trademark boneless tricks.
. skating and doing tricks is not the only way to skate. (Hirano)
Taku Takemura ( , Takemura)My name is Taku Takemura . Pleased to meet you.
plainTaku is a friend of mine who I have skated with since the 80's. We lived in California for a while, and at that time, we were friends with local skaters and artists.
bamboo villageThat's the time period from 1995 to 2000. You were in Arizona for a bit at first, and then you were in Los Angeles for a long time.
plainIn Los Angeles, I happened to meet Keith Hufnagel of HUF. *5 and Mike Carroll *6 . and the table also lived in the area where you live.
*5 A legendary skater known as the original Ollie master who was a signature rider for REAL in the 90's, HUF started in 2002 and has grown into a globally popular skate store with 7 stores in Japan alone.
*6 He has been leading the skate scene since the 80's and is a top skater whose name is synonymous with flip tricks. After working for H-Street and Plan B, he participated in the launch of GIRL SKATEBOARDS with Rick Howard and Spike Jones in 1994. Currently, he is also a successful businessman and owner of the skate shoe brand LAKAI.
bamboo villageMike Carroll lived a few doors down from me, and we went to the same supermarket (laughs).
plainThen we were "Relax".*7 We began working together on a serialized project on board culture that appeared at the end of the magazine called "The Board Culture" at the time.
7 Launched by Magazine House in 1996, this culture magazine was popular mainly among young men . The magazine ceased publication with the September 2006 issue.
bamboo villageOh yeah . Those were fun times, weren't they?
plainYes. There were many skateboarders that we admired back then, and Neil Brender was one of them. He was doing his best tricks in the limited time he had, and all of a sudden, he started drawing on the wall that used to be a section.
This video was a shocking image in terms of skate culture, as it showed that skating is not just about skating and doing tricks. I am not sure if he actually had such a message, but those of us who were watching the video at the time felt such an attitude.
bamboo villageThis legendary action of his led to a number of skaters who were probably influenced by Neil Brender in contests and video productions. Thomas Campbell. *8 And Gonz actually said that it was Neil Brender who created the ground for skaters to present their art.
8 In addition to his activities as a skater, he is also a filmmaker, painter, photographer, surfer, and owner of the Galaxia record label, and is known as a multi-faceted artist who is indispensable to the West Coast culture. His films "SPROUT" and "The Present," which he directed, are still loved by many fans as timeless masterpieces in surf culture.
plainHeh, I knew you were right.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)Taro was influenced by such highly artistic skaters, but did you ever want to paint?
plainOh, me? I can't draw, so you must be taking pictures of me (laughs).
A legendary performance by a young Neil Brender at a local skate contest in the late 80's. . During the competition, he used a spray can in his pocket to leave impromptu drawings all over the section. This shocking video proves that skating on a skate deck and doing tricks is not the only way to express skating.
These slammed pictures are also skating. (Ozawa)
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I see. Also, in this time period, Mike Vallely. note 9 (supplementary information). was a strange one, too.
9 The original hardcore skater with a masculine, rugged style. While belonging to various skate brands, he became a leading figure in the "BALCK LABEL" in the 90's. He later became a professional wrestler, a vocalist in a hardcore band, and an ice hockey player. He later became a professional wrestler, a vocalist in a hardcore band, and an ice hockey player. He is also known as the creator of the "DRIVE" skateboarding documentary film series.
plainYes, that's right. He used to be a fresh, good-looking skater who was popular with the ladies, but at some point he turned into a professional wrestler and a vocalist for a band. Not too long ago, he was the one who made a movie titled "DRIVE," a travel-themed skate documentary. . He was not an artist, but he was an iconic figure among skaters, of whom there were many oddballs.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)The increase in the number of skaters who are devoted not only to art, but also to various related cultures through the filter of skate culture, may be due in large part to the influence of one skater, Neil Brender.
plainAnd later, not only Neil Brender , but Mark . Gonzalez also started painting artwork from his second signature deck, right? I remember that it was probably in the late 80's, and from then on, it became normal for skaters to draw pictures on their own decks. Incidentally, "Dysfunctional," which also has documentary value as an important document when looking back at skateboarding, art, and photography*10I wonder if you guys have heard of a photo book called
10 Published by Aaron Rose in 1999, this book is a collection of skate culture from the 70's to the 90's from a unique editorial point of view, and has value as a reference work. It is a book that is deeply dear to the hearts of the participants and a must-read for those who want to know the history of skating and art. The cover photo of a slammed Ed Templeton was taken by Takashi Homma, a proud Japanese photographer.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)It's one of our favorite books. The book has many charms, but it also has catalog pages of skate decks that were beginning to be appreciated as art at the time, including decks for which Neil Brender provided the artwork, so it's very valuable.
plain. by the way, I was actually on that board.
bamboo villageYes, I missed it , didn't I? And the cover is by photographer Takashi Homma. *11was photographed by Mr. Ed Templeton, and the subject of the photo was Ed Templeton. *12. that's what I'm going to say.
11 He started his career as a photographer by joining the advertising production company "Light Publicity" while still in college, which is highly unusual. In 1998, he won the 24th Ihei Kimura Photography Award and established himself as a photographer. In 1998, he won the 24th Ihei Kimura Photography Award and established himself as a photographer. He has been involved in numerous magazines and photo collections, and in recent years has held traveling exhibitions at art museums.
12 In addition to his brilliant achievements as a professional skater, he is also known as the creator of the well-known character "Transistor Sect" of his own brand, "TOY MACHINE. In recent years, he has also been active as a photographer, publishing several books, including the "Teenage Smokers" series, and holding regular photo exhibitions and art shows around the world. His wife, Deanna Templeton, is also a photographer.
plainThe reason why it was not a skate photographer but Takashi Homma who took the pictures is that the book was edited by Aaron Rose, who curates a gallery called "Alleged Gallery" It was *13, but since he was also an expert in photography and art, I am guessing that he was nominated not only by skate photographers, but also by photographers from a wide range of genres who had his finger on the pulse of the industry.
13 A street art instigator, he was the owner and curator of the legendary ALLEGED GALLERY in New York City from 1992 to 2002, where he introduced many artists to the world. In 2004, he curated the group exhibition "Beautiful Losers" at the Contemporary Art Center, which was made into a film and published as a documentary book. . He is currently working on publications with ALLEGED PRESS, an art book publisher, and is a freelance editor.
bamboo villageUp until now, the only books that conveyed skate culture were specialized magazines like "THRASHER," but this book was quite innovative, wasn't it? The fact that it was created by Aaron Rose, who was not a skater, was also significant, and now, looking at it again from my perspective as an editor, it is a book that is useful. . It's organized chronologically, it looks like a photo book, but it also has some documentary elements.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)The image of Ed Templeton straddling the back of the book and tumbling down is also kind of awesome. Slam that I did, because of this picture. *14 It made me realize once again that the photos I took of myself skating were also skating, and I started using photos other than makeup on the cover of the first issue of "Sb," which I am producing.
14 The term "slam" in skate culture refers to a skater being slammed to the ground after a failed trick. . It is a common occurrence for skaters who attack difficult tricks or unexplored spots.
bamboo village. that's why the title is "Dysfunctional".
plainHuh? What did you mean by that?
bamboo village. like it's not functioning, or in other words, it's not made up. What kind of meaning is put into it, though, I'd have to ask the person who made the book.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)However, Aaron Rose still supported skaters through his gallery "Alleged Gallery," so the relationship between skating and art was definitely a theme in his mind.
plainUntil then, as I mentioned earlier, art on skateboards was considered nothing more than graffiti and not worth more than a couple of bucks. The person who changed that was Aaron Rose and the small "Alleged Gallery" he ran in New York.
Through the "Alleged Gallery," various unknown artists and skaters have been able to gain a place in the field of art and become famous. . I was once again impressed by the work of editors and curators.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)What kind of activities does Aaron do now?
plain. it seems he's doing a lot of things. Although "Alleged Gallery" has closed, you have been holding pop-up galleries for limited periods of time to coincide with the anniversary, and you are still active as a freelance curator. . You also shoot films and play in a band.
bamboo village. and I think he also paints these days.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I see.
That was the first time I learned that there are people in this world who collect and exhibit decks, photos, and paintings of skate culture. (Plain)
bamboo villageIncidentally, what was it that got Taro interested in Aaron Rose?
plainWhen I went to New York in 1995, a friend of mine told me, "There is a gallery where Mark Gonzalez's paintings are displayed! At the time, I wondered if it would be a good idea to display Gonz's paintings, but when I went to the place he showed me, I found it was the "Alleged Gallery.
But I guess they were just in the process of preparing the exhibit, or maybe they were in the process of bringing it in, and there were pictures and photos of Mark Gonzalez and Ed Templeton lying randomly on the floor, and there was no one in the gallery, not even Aaron. I looked at the unfinished gallery space for a while and then left. That was the first time I realized that there are people in this world who collect and exhibit decks, photos, and paintings from skate culture.
bamboo villagePRINTED MATTER.*15 You were there too, weren't you?
15 An art bookstore known since the 1970s for bringing artists' self-published books to the world. In 2016, to commemorate its 40th anniversary, the store relocated and expanded to a new location. The store features zines created by skaters both famous and unknown, along with top artists and photographers.
plainYes, that's right. There was a small bookstore in Soho that sold little press zines and photo books called "Printed Matter. I happened to drop by there by chance and found some zines made by Mark Gonzalez there as well, and I bought a couple of copies to try out.
bamboo villageIt's an early work of Gonz when he was still unknown.
plainThese two events brought the relationship between skate culture and art to the forefront of my mind little by little.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)1995, just when Gonz was in Paris, a bit removed from skating, I guess?
bamboo villageYes, I know. BLIND" was insanely popular at the time.*16 I heard from an acquaintance that he had left the skating team "The Ride" and moved to Paris after working for a few skating teams.
16 A skate brand founded by Mark Gonzalez in 1989, the brand was ridiculed as a dog and monkey with "POWELL PERALTA" when it entered the 90s, but in 1991, it released the masterpiece "VIDEO DAYS" directed by Spike Jonze, and became one of the most popular brands in the world. POWELL PERALTA became one of the most popular brands.
plainIt was a time of silence for Gonz. Also, looking back, it was a time of change in the skate scene as well, as the size of the wheels on skate decks became smaller and smaller, and skaters began to compete with each other in terms of the difficulty of their tricks. . Actually, I was also away from skating for a while at that time. But I was skating alone on the table (laughs).
bamboo villageThat was right (laughs). Back then, there was a place under the highway in Takaido where you could skateboard, and we used to sneak around.
plainSo the table didn't have the slump that the Gons had.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)Globally, Neil Brender and Gonz have come and gone, but skate art is still in its pre-dawn days in Japan, right? From there, in the U.S., "Beautiful Loosers" became even more dedicated and had a huge impact on the skate scene! *17 . when it comes on the scene.
*17 Aaron Rose, who was the curator of "Arranged Gallery," presided over this croup exhibition in 2004, inviting artists who had fallen through the cracks. The exhibition toured New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Milan, and other cities, and later developed into a documentary film and book as a movement that broke the rules of art.
plain. that's right. Aaron, who ran the "Alleged Gallery," continued to actively evangelize independent art, and in 2004, "Beautiful Loosers" was born as a traveling art exhibition, wasn't it?
I won't go into the details here, but what started as a small movement in a small gallery eventually became a large scale museum exhibition around the world, a movie, a book, and a page in history that has been handed down to the present day.
Neil Brender is like a push for aspiring people. (Takemura)
bamboo villageThe difficulty here, considering the theme of this year's event, is that not all of the artists who participated in "Beautiful Loosers" were skaters. Raymond Pettibon. *18and Barry McGee. *19. and so on.
18 Along with Paul McCarthy and Mike Kelley, he is one of the leading contemporary artists on the West Coast of the U.S. In 1978, he began painting record jackets for the punk band BALCK FLAG, formed by his brother Greg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski, and for Clegg's independent label, SST. He began drawing artwork for "SST," and his artwork was used on the cover of "Sonic Youth," and he gradually penetrated the punk scene. . Since then, he has gone on to hold exhibitions at large museums and other venues as a rare drawing artist.
19 A leading San Francisco contemporary artist active in the world of contemporary art, he is also known for his street art under the name TWIST. In 1998, he created a huge mural at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which was selected for the museum's permanent collection, and in the same year, he held his first solo exhibition at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which shook up the art scene in the United States. In 2001, he had his first solo exhibition at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which shook up the art scene in the United States. In 2001, he exhibited the largest installation in his career at the Venice Biennale, and in 2012, he held a major exhibition at the UC Berkeley Art Museum, the culmination of his career since the 1990s.
plainCertainly Ryan McGinley. *20 and Ari Markopolos. *21 And so on.
20 A leading photographer in New York City, he was an unknown artist when his early photo book "The Kids Are Alright," which he made himself with inkjet ink in 2002, became the talk of the town, and the following year, at the young age of 25, he held a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Many of his iconic nudes and road trip works, many of which have become popular around the world, have been exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
. 21 Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he is a photographer currently based in New York City. He used to work as an assistant to Andy Warhol, and from his position as a photographer, he has released many photo collections that follow the youth generation, including skaters and rappers, who spent the turbulent 90s. Among them, Ali's major works such as "Not Yet" and "Out & About" made his name widely known to the world.
bamboo villageAaron himself, as I mentioned earlier, is not a genuine skater, but only a gallery curator and a book editor. He has definitely made a great contribution to the skate scene by supporting and giving a chance to talented skaters at such an important time for the skate art.
As in any field, players alone don't make a scene bigger, I'm sure. Speaking of which, what caught my attention was that there wasn't much gongs involved in "Beautiful Loosers". Personally, I thought that was pretty surprising.
plainGonz, this is when you were in your second slump. Probably a time of mental downfall. Once again, I think Gonz was very sensitive in terms of his artistic or sensibility itself.
bamboo village. I've always been very uneven in my skating, with times when I'm in good shape and times when I'm not.
plainNot too long ago, it was a popular thing for him to play with the cameraman's camera, knocking it off, even when they were filming interviews or skate sessions or something. It was kind of disgusting. . Was it because of his pure and innocent playfulness from his childish mind, or was it because of his unstable mentality as an artist?
bamboo villageCome to think of it, "Beautiful Loosers" doesn't include Neil Brender either. Well, in his case, I have the image that he has not been very active in these group exhibitions and events for a long time.
plainYes, yes , that's right. I am sure that is partly due to his untouchable nature.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I wonder where I can see Neil's current work, if you can call it that.
plainI don't have a gallery with me , nor am I releasing a deck. Where can I see it? I'm still working on the artwork for Dinosaur Jr . I'm still working on the artwork for Dinosaur Jr . so you can see it there, though.
bamboo villageAnd then there's "Love + Guts," which I curated this summer.*22I brought one piece of artwork to Japan that had not yet been exhibited in Japan at an art show called "The Art Show.
22 An art show by legendary skaters that started in the U.S. in 2005, led by Pat Noho, Steve Olson, and Lance Mountain. This year, under the sponsorship of "HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO.", Mr. Takemura, who is participating as a guest this time, curated the show and brought it to Japan for the first time. Host Mr. Hirano also participated as an artist. A preview exhibition was held at "16(Sixteen)", a skate store and gallery in Shibuya, and the main event was held at "bnb GALLERY" in Shizunami, Shizuoka.
plainAlso, surprisingly, you are on Instagram. As far as that account is concerned, it's a HEATED WHEEL.*23 . It's like they have a thin shaped deck brand that is run by a group of like-minded uncles.
23 A deck brand that Neil Brender has been working on in recent years with Steve Kurer, an old friend from his days at Alien Workshop. The decks are characterized by their cruiser-like form, with the front and back sides turned upside down, and their handmade custom decks are painted with artwork that is synonymous with Neil's work. Also known as "Polarizer.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)Neil has always been a skim board. *24 . and I wonder if he had the foresight to do so.
. 24 A marine sport that originated in the 1920s from Laguna, a popular beach on the West Coast of the United States. Unlike surfing, it has no strings attached to the feet to hold them in place, making it a popular surfing sport that is as close to a skateboard as possible, as it can be used for a variety of tricks.
plainHe's still interested in scheme boards, though, and occasionally posts related images on Instagram.
bamboo villageI think his charm, which is also a mysterious part of his charm, is that he is not a flattering artist who can draw well, and his skating skills are not top-notch. As I recall, he couldn't even do an ollie. But he is a pioneer of skate art, and for some reason, I am attracted to him.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)That's right.
bamboo villageBut because of Neil Brender, people were told that it was okay to skate even if you were not good at skating, and that it was okay to paint if you liked it even if you were not good at drawing. So I think he was also a person who gave a push to those who had ambitions.
. The most painstaking part of the process is choosing the right one for the part from the thousands of decks available. (HAROSHI)
plainThat's exactly right. So, it may or may not have been influenced by Neil Brender, the man who gave so many skaters their dreams, but I think it's time for Haroshi, Japan's proudest contemporary artist of the moment, to take the stage.
HAROSHII'm getting tired of waiting . . but I'm not used to such lecture-like events, so please go easy on me.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)HAROSHI has been with Taro the longest of all these people?
plainAs far as I remember, my earliest encounter with Mr. Haroshi was when he exhibited his accessories at my small gallery in Yoyogi Uehara, how about that?
HAROSHII remember that exhibit, of course, but the first one was John Cardiel, I believe, in 2000 or so. *25 I think the first time we attended a performance at Komazawa Park by the "K" in Japan.
25 A legendary skater loved by many skaters as the founder of "ANTIHERO. In 2003, at the height of his career, he suffered a serious injury that left him temporarily paralyzed, but he is known for his indomitable spirit that enabled him to make a successful comeback. . He is currently active as a pisto bike rider and reggae music selector.
plainAh, there was such a thing , HAROSHI is also a local skater in Komazawa.
HAROSHITakao. *26 . We once spoke at a café in . I believe it was when you and Taro and I did the exhibition of reshaped skate decks.
. 26 Real name, Takao Niikura, was active as a Komazawa local skater in the 80's, and later began painting while traveling in California, Indonesia, Central and South America, etc. In 1995, he exhibited in the "WALK" art show in San Diego, and has since exhibited actively in various galleries in Japan and abroad. Since then, he has been actively exhibiting his works at various galleries in Japan and abroad. . Currently, he is an artist supported by RVCA, NIXON, and others. . He is also the owner of the popular cafe "nico" near Komazawa Park.
plainWas that one first? Well, as you probably know, Haroshi, whom I met almost 20 years ago now, is an artist who makes things out of scrap wood and used skate decks that have been used and recycled.
bamboo villageBefore that, under the name Harvest, I was making the accessories Taro mentioned earlier.
HAROSHIYes, that's right. By the way, that name Harvest is my old Margaret Kilgallen. *27 is my favorite, and it's taken from the name of his last collection of works.
. 27 A female artist from San Francisco who continues to influence the contemporary art scene in the United States. As a surfer herself, she is deeply familiar with the surf and skate community, and has provided artwork for Tommy Guerrero's CD jackets in the past. Her husband, Barry McGee, passed away in 2001.
plainI didn't know that. I see. By the way, I would like to know how Haroshi's works are made.
HAROSHIWell, to give a rough explanation, I collect skate decks that are no longer in use, cut them into layers according to the motif of the work, peel them off, and join them together, repeating the process.
plainThat takes time, doesn't it?
bamboo villageI think skate decks vary slightly in shape from brand to brand and company to company.
HAROSHIOf course, putting together decks from the same company works well together, but even with different concaves, some things work better with another company between boards, and there are many other things that can happen.
bamboo village. probably only HAROSHI looks at skate decks from that point of view (laughs).
HAROSHIColors are important criteria for selection, but the shape of the concave and kick of the deck can be even more troublesome. . So choosing the right one from more than 1,000 decks is the most difficult part of the process.
plain. in the right place at the right time. The piece you brought this day is a portable size, but in the past, there have been pieces that were ridiculously large.
. It's hard work, but it's my pride as a skater to stick to that. (HAROSHI)
HAROSHIYes, it is. The monuments I made for the opening of the HUF stores in New York and Los Angeles are quite large. I also once made a piece with a horse motif, but I made it strong enough and large enough for an adult to ride on.
plainA horse. And you can ride it.
HAROSHIIt is based on a mover that used to be in front of a pharmacy, and they actually took that mover apart and rebuilt it, so it works just like the real thing. . the point is that its front legs are broken, but it still runs.
plain. it is typical of HAROSHI to leave such a broken part and so on.
HAROSHII am glad to hear you say so. I thought it might be a part of the story that was not conveyed well.
bamboo village. rather, the charm of HAROSHI's work is there.
plain. You can see the traces of someone actually riding it. . That's a feature of using a skate deck, isn't it?
bamboo villageAre those actually made from skate decks that have been broken off?
HAROSHI. that's right. So I have to go through the process of matching the shape and color again from the broken skate deck, which is really hard work. It's a lot of work, but that's what I'm committed to. As Mr. Taro mentioned earlier, by daring to leave the feeling of use, it also functions as an explanatory detail.
plainYour works are gradually gaining recognition not only in Japan but also in the world, and I would like to ask you briefly about your past activities.
HAROSHIUntil around 2010, I was making everything from deck accessories to three-dimensional objects, and only held occasional solo exhibitions, but the solo exhibition I held in Aoyama in 2010 was well received overseas, and then I got a job with NIKE. Then I had a job with NIKE, and people who were interested in art started to know me a little more.
Then, I realized that to take the next step, I needed to show my work at a famous gallery in New York City, and through a series of coincidences, I ended up at "Jonathan Le Vine" in New York City. *28 I have been registered with a gallery that is highly trusted by the lowbrow and street scene called INVADER, that well-known Japanese *29 and WK 30 . It is a gallery that is considered top-notch in the street scene, and is also home to the following artists.
28 A widely known gallery in the street scene that was managed by Jonathan, a curator from New York, and also known as a member of INVADER and WK, etc. HAROSHI was also a member from 2011 to 2016 and exhibited many works. The gallery closed this year.
. 29 A French street artist who has left many works based on characters from the arcade game "Space Invaders" in Paris and other cities around the world. . In recent years, many of his works are based on buildings and animals associated with regions and countries.
. 30 A French graffiti artist based in New York. . 30 A French graffiti artist based in New York, he has become a hot topic on the street scene for his technique of photographing the movements of people and then coloring them with black-and-white ink. He is also known as one of the most difficult-to-find artists in the world today.
plainDo you still belong to the gallery there?
HAROSHIActually, there were so many problems there, such as non-payment, that I ended up leaving that gallery affiliation after about 5 years. I am still working out the various financial issues from that time (laughs).
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I don't see how that's possible.
plainLike the work sold but no money came in?
bamboo villageBut the gallery is still there, right? Because I used to get mail from the gallery there too.
HAROSHIIt was crushed today.
all of usWhat?
HAROSHIIt sounds like a lie, but I got an email today stating that it is just going to run out (laughs).
plainThat's finally a bad idea, isn't it?
HAROSHIThat's right (laughs). I would not be able to recover the money anymore, and the work is still there, and it is a very large one, so I wondered what I should do with it. But I still have these problems from my days in New York, but now I am working for another gallery in Japan and doing things as I please. Things are going well.
bamboo villageHave you done any art shows in the U.S. since then?
HAROSHII did a small show at a sneaker boutique store called "KITH" last year, but I haven't done a big show - I'm not sure.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I know that you say that you have very few now, but what kind of clients did you work with back then?
HAROSHII would say that my first major work outside of Japan was a commission with Mark Parker, CEO of NIKE. I think it was around 2010. The project was to create the dunk model you see in the photo, using my style of deck sculpture.
So, when I went to Portland to deliver my work, I asked a NIKE representative for a copy of " The Berrics.*31I was told, "There are a lot of skate deck scraps left over at a skate park called BATB, so you can use them freely," so I decided to take them to BATB.*32Steve Bella says he's going to make a trophy from that deck. *33 and Eric Coston . asked me to tell them to 34 .
. 31 Skate media run by top pro skaters Eric Coston and Steve Bella. . and a private skate park run by the media. As a web media specialized in skating, it has various unique contents and is one of the most popular skating media in the world. The skate park in Los Angeles hosts many high-level contests and is known as a gateway to success for the new generation of skaters.
. 32 Abbreviation for Battle at the berrics, the world's premier skate game event organized by "The Berrics". . It is held every year from about April to June. The skate game was born out of street skateboarding games, and the rules are quite simple. The rules are simple: a child skater tries to do a trick made by a parent skater, and if the child skater fails five times, he or she loses the game. If the parent fails, the child skater gets the parent.
33 Eric Costant, co-owner of The Berrics, is known as an old friend and is credited with being the driving force behind the success of this unprecedented skate media and skate park. He is also a signature rider for "Alien Workshop" and "DC Shoes," and has released many signature models. Juliette Lewis, the actress of "Gilbert Grape" fame, is his ex-wife.
. 34 A pro skater representing the 90's who has earned the name of "genius skater". After his golden years at H-Street and GIRL SKATEBOARDS, he went on to skate shoes brands such as es, LAKAI, and NIKE SB, and has released numerous footages. Currently, he runs Fourstar, an apparel brand he launched with Guy Mariano, and The Berrics, a skate park and web media company he founded with Steve Bella.
plainJust to explain, "The Berrics" held regular skating contests, and HAROSHI was chosen to handle the trophies for the winners. . This was the catalyst for HAROSHI to become an artist with worldwide name value, and it accelerated quickly.
HAROSHIYes, that's right. I didn't hear anything from "The Berrics" for a while after that, and I forgot about it as I was preparing for my next job, but then I had a show at HUF in Los Angeles, and two guys from "The Berrics" came to me and said, "You said you were going to make a trophy, didn't you? They said, "You said you were going to make a trophy, didn't you? They gave me a crazy schedule to deliver the trophy in a month, and I had to make it for free at first.
plainThat's absurd (laughs). Isn't it rather negative when you think about moving things in and out?
HAROSHI. I didn't have the money at that time, so I sent the artwork by mail. However, they liked all of my works, and I was able to have a good relationship with "The Berrics" as the artist in charge of trophy production for the next 6 years, so I am happy with the results.
bamboo villageGood for you. Did you start working with Keith from there as well?
HAROSHII met Keith through an acquaintance, and even though I had only done shows in Japan at the time, he was interested in my work and asked me if I would be interested in doing an art show at his store in Los Angeles. He invited me to do an art show at his shop in Los Angeles. He told me I could do whatever I wanted with the content, and two years later, my first art show with HUF came to fruition.
At the time, HUF was still young as a brand, and the scale was much smaller than it is now. There was a small warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, and we held an art show there. I became friends with their crew there and have been receiving generous support ever since.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)HUF is now one of the biggest skate brands in the world, but do you still have the freedom to work with them?
HAROSHIBasically, yes. But when we open a new store, we also get requests for requests to make these. The big middle finger sculpture I made for the Los Angeles store was one such request. I rarely make motifs like that, so it was quite new for me, but before I knew it, it had become an iconic piece, so it's a little complicated (laughs).
bamboo villageI do get the impression that Keith is synonymous with Keith.
HAROSHII rather like GUZO motif designs like the one I brought today.
plainIs there a reason for that?
HAROSHII think of guzo (idol) as being like a god, and it is said that Christ, for example, became close to a god by suffering all the pain that people felt. I thought about it, and I realized that skateboarding is the same way.
We skaters endure all kinds of pain in place of them, and in the end, they decay. If so, I thought that skateboard scraps would be the perfect material to create a god for us. . It may sound a little creepy (laughs).
plainNot at all. I see.
This is a rare shot of Keith Hufnagel, the founder of HUF and a professional skater of many accomplishments, and Mr. Haroshi. HAROSHI created much of the artwork that has now become the symbol of HUF stores.
I decided to be a "proper creator," rather than just making something up as I went along. (HAROSHI)
kozawa (Clausena lansium)I think that Haroshi's work is quite hard work, but for all that, he is relatively responsive to the client's requests, as he was with the middle finger for "HUF" and the globe that Taro and I asked him to do for "Sb. I thought that was different from other stubborn artists, but what do you think about that?
HAROSHII used to do commissions back then , but I don't do them anymore. This is a bit off topic, but I think it is better for an artist involved in skate culture to have a track record and fame, like a famous professional skater, for example. That is why, for example, the art that Mark Gonzalez draws is appreciated because Gonz was also appreciated for his skating style, right?
To be frank, I can't help it if someone other than Gonz were to draw it (laughs). So, when it comes to skate art, it is important to know "who is doing it. That is why I decided to make art, because I was neither a professional skater nor a name value skater. I know it's not a good way to put it, but I wanted to be a "proper creator," not just someone who can fake it with tension or atmosphere.
That is not backhandedness or criticism, but because I myself like artists like them, I think we have to fight on a level playing field that is not the same, while also respecting them.
bamboo villageThis is not just limited to skating, but certainly skate art may have such a particularly strong filter.
plainI have the image of you sticking to skate decks because of your background as a skater, but will you continue to do so in your future works?
HAROSHII haven't released my work because it hasn't sold well, but in fact I have been making works using ordinary wood and completely different materials in addition to skate decks. Up until now, I have been desperate to make a piece that would be my calling card, so I have continued to make sculptures using scrap wood from decks, but in the future, I would like to pursue what I like even more and introduce a completely different style of work to the world.
kozawa (Clausena lansium)How's the response?
HAROSHI. I'm feeling it.
plain. that's good. I can rely on you as a representative of Japan. as Haroshi mentioned, I have the filter that Gonz and Neil Brender are heroes in the skateboarding world. But I don't have that. Then I have to do it in a different way, which is very moving.
I believe that skaters are a species that seeks a different style from others, not only in their art, but also in the way they choose their decks, the way they dress, the spots they choose, and even the types of tricks they perform. That's what makes them valuable.
Thinking about it, I realized once again that HAROSHI is a skateboarder, and at the same time, he is one of the few Japanese artists whose style has been recognized.
bamboo villageHAROSHI's work conveys his love and passion for skate culture.
HAROSHII am confident that I can beat anyone in that area.
plainA work of art that is infused with soul. . that would fascinate people, wouldn't it? But I would also like to see what happens when he stops using skate decks in the future. There were many more questions I wanted to ask him, but unfortunately time was running out, so I have one last question.
HAROSHIWhat is it?
plainI wonder what form of skateboarding fun looks like to you, Haroshi?
HAROSHIWhen I look at legendary American skaters, I see that they are all still riding skates. Naturally, their fitness and skills decline, so they seem to be enjoying skating in a way that suits their age, while changing their style to suit their needs. As I get older and enter my 40s, I find it fun to just push on.
Anyway, I think the desire to skate well is especially important when you are young, but there will come a time when you realize that it will become too much. I realize now that there are many correct answers to skateboarding.
bamboo villageIndeed . Aki Akiyama is still active in Japan. And so are I and Taro, for that matter.
plainYes, Haroshi , thank you very much for your valuable talk today. This time, too, it was a theme that is indispensable when talking about skate culture, and it turned out to be quite rich in content. And the theme of the next lecture will be "Skateboarding and Video. I thought he would be the only guest, so I will have Mr. Takahiro Morita of "FESN" make an appearance. This will be a very intense lecture as well, so we will see you at VACANT on the 14th of next month.
Taku Takemura, one of the guests of the event, brought with him a large number of skate rink zines and photo books, as well as letters, scribbles, and artwork that he received directly from famous skaters and artists. All of these items are valuable because of his community that has been following skate culture for many years.
After the lecture, the audience was given a chance to hold and touch some of Mr. Haroshi's works and other valuable art pieces owned by Taku Takemura. Furthermore, there were scenes where the participants chatted with the speakers, whom they do not usually have a chance to talk to.
HOUYHNHNM SKATEBOARD CLUB
Various cultural events have been launched under the name "VACANT CULTURE CLUB" in the first floor space of the Harajuku gallery "VACANT," which was renovated this summer. As part of this initiative, we will hold hands-on lecture events on the theme of HOUYHNHNM's and skate culture.
The main hosts will be "Sb" editor-in-chief Chiichiro Ozawa and photographer Taro Hirano, who will give a roundtable lecture once a month, with a different theme and guest each time, and with the participation of general participants (auditing students).
. Also, workshops will be held on an irregular basis where event participants and visitors can actually experience the products. Stay tuned. . Below are the details of the fourth lecture.
