A collaboration between Isle Skateboards, Raphaël Zarka and Carhartt WIP
For this collaboration with Carhartt WIP and ISLE Skateboards came together with Raphaël Zarkain a dialogue at the crossroad of skateboarding and contemporary art. Sylvain Tognelli skates for Carhartt WIP; he is part of the funding crew of ISLE Skateboards. It was just a question of time before a collaboration could be set up.
Zarka's latest discovery in spatial geometry is given a new dimension through the motions of skateboarding. The geometrical forms are printed as graphics (boards/t-shirts) but are also being produced and exhibited as solid wooden sculptures to become geometrical skate obstacle and pieces of art at the same time. The products feature Nick Jensen's researches on perspectives and materials alongside works from guest artists.
ISLE Skateboards (2013, UK)
The name ISLE can be interpreted as a metaphor for the brand vision, trying to do things that feel unique and independent. ISLE is a really tight knit group and in this way feel like is creating their own small island through their creative ideas.
"ISLE was born from a necessity for me to follow a path with how I have always believed skateboarding should be portrayed and expressed ». In a world of mundane brands with the majority following the same trajectory of creative and team choices we wanted to create something that would embody what we are about personally. Rad style, friendship and attitude are my main goals with ISLE and fundamentally the most important part of ISLE for which shines through all aspects of the brand from the team to our creative output."
- Paul Shier (Founder)
Raphaël Zarka
"Raphaël Zarka is one of a new generation of artists for whom existing cultural forms constitute the raw material for their work. The point of departure for his art, which encompasses photography, video and the written essay, is fundamentally sculptural in the expanded field of a twenty-first century artist. For many years a skateboarder and the author of several books on its history, Zarka's idea of skateboarding, as a kind of re-writing of spaces destined for a particular use, rhymes with his approach to his artistic practice. Similar to the abandoned structures built for past moments of aspiration and endeavor, and the recurrence of forms put to new uses, Zarka's reflections on skateboarding signal ecology of art making of critical and contemporary relevance. For him it's not a question of an absolute reality but rather, what it is, has been or might be depending on the position from which you view it."
- Suzanne Cotter
