Roarockit has many wonderful art-skateboard pieces, but this one is the most unusual. It was made as part of a continuing credit arts project at the Oasis Skateboard Factory in 2017. This was a collaboration between student Carly Schwind, and David Reininger, an accomplished model-maker for major movies such as Star Wars.
From left to right: Craig Morrison (teacher and the Founder of the Oasis Skateboard Factory), David Reininger (artist), unknown, and Carly Schwind (student) Photos above and right: Jonathan Nuss
The project assigned, was to create a board that reflected the theme of “Youth Oppression”. Students were paired with artists from the community, who generously gave their time and energy to this project. They met for an initial briefing, discussed the way they each felt about the theme and how they could create a piece of skateboard art. The finished boards were then displayed in a gallery, seen by countless gallery-goers, and auctioned off at a show event.
Photos above and right: Jonathan Nuss
David’s planning drawings of the process have Carly noted as “client” as details were discussed and integrated, working together to create this wonderfully intricate board.
As this piece is so complex, David charted the progress as if he was working on a set piece for a movie. They planned the construction timing to make sure the board would be completed by the deadline, in this case, the art show and auction.
Design concepts were sketched out on art paper. Notes were made to relate the design elements to the theme that was assigned. Changes were made along the way, and references to the discussions from their initial meeting were noted. Text with Latin references was worked into the design, to illustrate the theme and both creators’ interpretations. I find these notes particularly interesting as they show glimpses of thought progression during the creative process.
I‘d love to know how this piece was created, but that is mystery of this artist’s process. There are so many pieces that were specially crafted to fit together. The figure in the middle is intricately detailed, as is the tail, the gas mask, and rips in the clothing. The figure defiantly pushing the floor upward provides a lot of tension and action, illustrating the theme, Youth Oppression. The skull, plus the engine, i-beams, storage tanks, exhaust pipes, fuel cells, crankcases, transmission, drive shaft, gears and rails that operate the press have a gritty, rusty feel that evokes doom and gloom.
From the drawing notes, the intent of this piece was to illustrate the feelings young people have about authority, conformity, institutions and fear. From my dealings with young people is that they are increasingly knowledgeable and informed about personal and world threats. The bright spark I see in this piece is the gas mask. The figure is protecting themselves as best they can, while pushing back on the weight of the issues. There is hope here!
Let us know in the comments below, how you interpret this very unusual skateboard!
You can see what Carly has been up to now since graduation, on this Instagram page.
Norah Jackson,
Roarockit Skateboard Company