The definition of FAIL is: to be unsuccessful, or to judge that someone has been unsuccessful in a test or examination.
The Oasis Skateboard Factory¹ does a yearly project where each student is matched up with a local artist to create a skateboard that reflects a theme, which was in this case, FAIL!
Teachers encourage students to question and challenge the status quo. Ted Hunter² and a high school student named Hari collaborated on this sculptural skateboard art piece to express their idea of “FAIL”.
Hari described how up until joining the OSF Alternative School, the school systems he had been involved in failed him. Ted and Hari used the strong, bold visual of the word FAIL to illustrate this concept.
Life is not just one thing that happens. The multiple curved strips weaving in and out of the skateboard are like the hundreds of experiences that added up to the “fail” in Hari’s life. The most solid object is the skateboard, which could be a metaphor for the skateboard-focused school he now goes to. A skateboard attacking the “fail” is significant in this case, as it is attacking the previous fails in his life. The way this skateboard is presented also means that it cannot be ridden, as the weaving would get in the way of being able to be used. Perhaps that is a failure too?
Hari and Ted worked together to produce the many integrated parts for this sculpture. The steps included the initial planning, selection of materials, laser cutting, building the skateboard, bending the curved strips, taking them apart and finishing them, then re-assembling.
While making the skateboard part, channels were laser-cut to accept the curved strips before the lamination of the skateboard layers in the Thin Air Press. The FAIL text was laser cut before the board was laminated together, as was the RR logo detail, so that the red below the top blue veneer sheet would show the contrast.
Each curved strip was glued, wrapped in electrical tape and bent into shape.
Trimming, spoke-shaving, sanding and finishing the board and the strips was time-consuming but had to be done before the final assembly.
When the entire class was finished with their art pieces, they were all hung in a local gallery. This one happened to be in a boutique hotel, allowing the guests to see the boards and make their bids in the weeks before the auction and show. Students were the curators and were a part of hanging the show. They also prepared written descriptions to explain the collaboration and meaning of their piece with the artists. Every step in this project was tied to learning units to earn their mandatory high school credits.
Frequent supporters and now the proud owners of this FAIL sculpture from Ted Hunter and Hari, are seen here in this (terribly murky) photo at the end of a long night. Hari had a successful experience to add to his list of positive life lessons!
Roarockit Skateboard Company hosts this Art Auction and Show each year. The Gladstone (House) Hotel has generously offered their space for the showing. Jay Mandarino from CJ Skatepark donated his auctioneering skills for many years. Many other people connected with OSF have given to the school to support this ambitious endeavor. Too many artists to name have also given their time, energy, materials and support to the students, as collaborators, teachers and mentors. Each year about 25 artists come forward to offer their skills to the students. We thank them all!
¹The Oasis Skateboard Factory is a Toronto District School Board Alternative school located in the downtown core of Toronto Canada. It was founded by Craig Morrison in 2006 to address the issues of non-attendance and disinterest in high school. Fast-forward to today, the school has increased attendance, won too many awards to count, and graduated countless young people who may have never achieved anywhere near the level of success OSF has offered them.
²Ted Hunter is an artist, sculptor, inventor and a retired professor of OCADu in Toronto. As co-founder of the Roarockit Skateboard Company, Ted is the brains and artistry behind the company. His invention of the Roarockit Method of Making a Skateboard has “democratized the business” of making skateboards and other bentwood objects.
Norah Jackson,
President, Roarockit Skateboard Company