Skateboarding- StYlE & CuLtUrE

It was in Baltimore Maryland, this past spring, that I was enlightened by the cultural movement known as "Skating".  I'm not implying that I was completely ignorant to its significance, but it doesn't seem to translate here in New York the way it does in other parts of the country. I was lucky enough to have met a young man who had been filming skateboarding for quite some time and had developed a skill out of pure love for what he so fittingly described as..."A way of life"! I had always been fascinated by the amazing tricks that these skaters are capable of and the risk they take for that sudden jolt of freedom. I had been introduced into the world of skateboarding on both a competitive professional level, as well as, a cultural phenomenon which had no concern about the corporate appeal of sponsors and big checks, but rather simply existed as a simple philosophy among the rest of our busy chaotic lives. What fascinated me the most was that this guy was filming the sport, and in order to do so, he too had to skate to capture the skaters skating. This intrigued me because filming standing still is hard enough, let alone traveling on a piece of wood balanced on wheels, rocking along the ridged pavement. We decided that we would document him documenting skateboarding. The first thing I realized when i arrived in Baltimore to shoot this project was that skating had its own style as well as philosophy. You can channel a lot of personality into your style, and I think skateboarding as a whole has done this on many levels. They seem to take from everywhere - Hip Hop, Hippie Culture, Heavy Metal, and even Preppy influences. Its all thrown together and conveys a feeling of freedom. This seems to mesh well with the carefree personality skateboarding culture has adopted as its own.

Skateboarding incorporates a variety of music, style, athletics, youthful appeal, and a message that seems to translate to all of us on some level. Even as its popularity grows it has continued to maintain its integrity. Yes, their are those that wish to profit and exploit, but thats natural. You can slap a "Mountain Dew" logo on anything and commercialize it, and I guess thats the price all great art must pay for recognition. The underground movement is remaining just as strong as the corporate side. When something gains notoriety it becomes its own worst enemy, it creates fighting within itself, and can begin to crumble under it own weight. I think its  best compared to the punk movement that shunned Green Day for being talented enough to go mainstream rather than sit back and be angry at society for not accepting them. Its simply the double standard, and what will keep skateboarding culture moving forward is that fact that has clearly defined itself. It won't change its principles; it cant change its principles. Its too valuable to too many people. If you had asked me this a year ago I wouldn't have given that statement, but I have seen the kids that aspire to be like their idols in the sport, but also want to add their own touch to it as well. Its not like football or baseball, skating can be manifested into anything the skater desires it to be. 

This brings me to the skateboard itself! Has their ever been a better accessory? This is what I mean when I say freedom. Its transportation, a fashion statement, an identifier, a trade mark. You can design your board anyway you want, to say what ever you want. Its like carrying around a piece of art everyday, and when it snaps in half it can be like saying goodbye to an old friend.  It is obvious that skate culture is here to stay, and all that has influenced it is now being influenced back in a new and exciting way.