When modern art is introduced on the streets, most people don’t grasp its meaning or its use. But skaters, they know: just like empty pools or remote ditches, modern art often means new gnarly spots.
Raphaël Zarka is a skateboarder and artist who imagines his sculptures being purposely skatable. He has combined then welded rusty metal shapes together into banks, ledges or wallrides. His touring exhibition has stopped in BPS22 (modern art museum of Charleroi) during fall/winter season. A little crew from Liège including myself have had the opportunity to come try it, as the organizers have invited skaters to bring life to the exhibition.
Furthermore, not only skaters have skated art, but young artists have made art from skateboards! Workshops by PointCulture took place before the sessions, on how to customize your board with stencils, chainsaws, paint or even sandpaper, to obtain DIY gripjobs, furniture or jewelry.
Here’s a little glimpse!
If you care to know, here’s what we have learned about the making-of: “The concept comes from the idea that skaters include modern art into their explorations. Their practice reveals and unveils what artists try to express with inanimate shapes: movement, direction, friction, or sound. Zarka draws further inspiration from abstract shapes developed by mathematician Arthur Moritz Schoenflies in the 19th century.”
Words by Joran Mislà
6K and friends @ BPS22 “Riding Modern Art” de Raphaël Zarka
Video by Chan Ly
More photos on Robin Lanoisette’s Insta: instagram.com/lanoizette/
To customize your boards:
Laura Junkers, Chalk Custom Board Projects: facebook.com/chalkcustomboard/
Mahell Bouteille, homemade skate furniture/jewelry/keyholders/whateveryouwant : instagram.com/monsieurcandydynamite/
PointCulture: www.pointculture.be/agenda/evenement/customisation-de-planches-de-skateboard/
www.pointculture.be/agenda/evenement/atelier-bricoskatage/
Museum of Modern Art of Charleroi : facebook.com/bps22.charleroi/
More photos on Nicolas Michel’s Flickr : flickr.com/photos/nicolasmichel/
Bonus videos:
Paving Space: Raphaël Zarka
Filmed edited by Bataaard. Featuring Nozbone team and friends: Nozbone team and friends: Alexis Jamet, Hugo Corbin, Jimmy Cholley, Joseph Biais, Pierre Subra, Roman Gonzale, and Yann Garin.
Paving Space
Filmed, Edited and Directed by Dan Magee in collaboration with Carhartt WIP
An unconventional encounter between maths, art and skateboarding.
Featuring Sylvain Tognelli, Nick Jensen, Casper Brooker, Jan Kliewer, Joseph Biais, Rémy Taveira, Josh Pall, Chris Jones, and Armand Vaucher.
When it comes to finding the perfect board, the skateboard shop in UT really delivers. They’ve got a great selection and the atmosphere feels laid-back but professional. If you’re in UT and need a new deck or just some gear, this skateboard shop in UT is worth visiting