Solitary Arts - Bob Lake... London, England

Three Stripe Event Photos From Shanghai

Photos courtesy of FLY and Original Heads of the event held in Shanghai, China for the adidas Three Stripe, Skate Hype. It looked like a solid event and one that I wish I was in attendance. Skateboarding is brewing strong in Shanghai!

For complete photoblog go to skatehere.com.

Setup built and skated in just weeks.

Dave Bachinsky BS Noseblunt

Mat Morgan Pole Jam

Lem Villemin Nollie BS Nosegrind

For complete photoblog of the Three Stripes Skate Hype event, go to skatehere.com.

"Hommies" A Group Show Curated By Tobin Yelland

Group Show Curated by Tobin Yelland
Exhibition: December 15, 2007 through January 12, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 15th, 7 to 10 pm at Fuse Gallery, New York

Hommies is a group photography show that features photographers who rely on their circle of friends for their inspiration. A celebration of the bond between photographer and subject makes for an intimate image that is honest and unpretentious.

Featuring works by Per Billgren, Angela Boatwright, Cheryl Dunn, Leigh Le Dare, Dennis McGrath, Jon McGrath, Ari Marcopoulos, Carissa Pelleteri, Ray Potes, Mickey Reyes, Vanessa Salle, Ivory Serra, Julien Stranger, Gary Van De Griek, and Tobin Yelland

Since the age of fifteen, Tobin Yelland has been steadily documenting the shadowy existence of youth and its vestiges in day-to-day life. First published by Thrasher Magazine in 1985. Tobin’s work has expanded beyond the world of San Francisco skaters to become a collection of images giving voice to an entire generation spanning locations and social identities.

“Hommies,” curated by Tobin Yelland, runs December 15, 2007 through January 12, 2008 at Fuse Gallery, 93 2nd Ave (between 5th & 6th Sts, 2nd Ave stop on the F), NYC, NY. The opening reception, on Saturday, December 15th, from 7 to 10 pm, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Fuse Gallery at 212.777.7988 or fusegall@fusegallerynyc.com.

- Thanks Tobin!

Shanghai, China "Three Stripe Skate Hype"

Mat from FLY and Original Heads in Shanghai, China sent this our way. A proper setup and coordination from the FLY folks along with adidas for this event and a precursor to what’s sure to be many more in this part of the world. Jeff and Mat of FLY are creating a positive and lasting introduction for the skateboarding community throughout China. They’ve built a street course along with an event taking place today, December 14th in Shanghai.

Nestor Judkins & Tim O’Connor

Hong Kong & The Adidas Team

My friend Henry Lerdal from San Francisco moved to Hong Kong a few months ago and today, we met at Times Square in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay. Henry took me to Morrison Hill park and randomly, I ran into Bryce Kanights and the adidas team. Small world.

Monster ollie by Dennis Busenitz
Hong Kong – Morrison Hill Park – December 4, 2007

Shanghai, China

I’ve always wanted to go to Shanghai, China. So I packed my luggage and brought my skatebag as a carry-on from San Francisco to Hong Kong on a layover. From Hong Kong, en-route to Shanghai, the overzealous security at the Hong Kong International Airport took my boards and confiscated them until my scheduled return back from Shanghai. It had something to do with having a blunt object as a carry-on, even with the skatebag I used. I brought my board just to ride the largest skatepark in the world in Shanghai.

Tip: pack your boards with your luggage and check it in even if the airline says it shouldn’t be a problem.

Regardless, energy was high and things were optimistic.

Got into Shanghai, China with confidence since Matt Irving introduced me to the fine folks at FLY Streetwear and Skateshop prior to my arrival. Both Jeff (owner) and Mat were very welcoming and Mat even let me use his personal board so that I could make some turns at the skatepark.

Shanghai is amazing… Not only the food and people but the melding of old and new in every facet from architecture to fashion to western fast food joints next to some of the best local street food I’ve ever had. Here are some photos below. Thanks again to Mat, Jeff, and our Aunt June for their hospitality. We’ll be back for sure.

Mat Morgan in front of Fly in Shanghai, China

This entire rack is from Gift Skateboards out of the Fly camp. Solid wood. I rode Mat’s board (bottom MEAT deck). He also did the graphic.

Outside Fly

Across the street from our hotel. Every street was bustling

Driving (and being a passenger) here is nuts. Really… but I’d like to ride a bicycle or scooter the next time.

Breakfast. Street food is everywhere and very inexpensive

Early morning workout at the park

Selling kicks straight from the factory and off the bike

Wu Jiang Jie Street Food Market

Had to get a bowl of spicy noodles myself after seeing all the people eating it on the street

Ate this too. Boiled tempura and other fine foods

Probably the fourth meal at the Wu Jiang Jie Street Food Market. This time, some fried Sen Jian Bao. Word.

Sweet potatoes on the street… smells like heaven

Pigface… and other flayed animals I would eat.

Chestnuts roasting on a Shanghai street

At the largest skatepark in the world, Shanghai, China

Delphi sticker found

Solitary Arts sticker

2 feet of vert on this monster of a half

That’s me standing at the top of the roll-in.

Baby backside carve in the peanut bowl

Only a few skaters on this perfect day

Tommy was one of them. Everyone was super nice and Tommy spoke english. Skating speaks louder than words and the kids were ripping.

Toykyo x Parra

Toykyo x Parra did an amazing hand-screened sticker-box consisting of 35 stickers and 1 screened print. Edition of 500, signed and numbered.

Cyclocross News Nov 2007

Cyclocross races are held typically in the autumn and winter months and consist of short, 2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile courses. The course can range from pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike and navigate obstructions and remount in one graceful motion. Races are generally between 30 minutes and an hour long, with the distance varying depending on the ground conditions. The sport is strongest in the traditional road cycling countries such as Belgium (and Flanders in particular), The Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Geoff just completed 2 cyclocross races within the past 2 week. Placing 6th out of 36 starters in division 4’s in Los Angeles then leading the race for 5 laps this past weekend in the Chicago and ending strong with 2nd place.

Next race is December 2.
Yeah, Geoff!

Colette Introduces The Solitary Arts @ Paper 24HR

FRIDAY, NOV. 9 – SATURDAY, NOV. 10

6 p.m.-6 p.m.: 24-hour Shopping Marathon!

Event: IS IT ART OR IS IT COMMERCE? PAPER’s 24-hour Department Store

Open to the Public

Location: PAPER’s Cultural Storefront – 233 S. La Brea @ 3rd St., Hollywood

PAPER opened a high concept “24 Hour department store,” an indoor market with 25 participating brands, artists and shops that PAPER adores. Unique/limited brands will be on display such as Colette (Introducing The Solitary Arts), Opening Ceremony, Undefeated, M.A.C Cosmetics, The Smell, Levi’s® Damien Hirst, Screaming Mimi’s, Ooga Booga, Mollusk, Citizen-Citizen, PAPER art store, Family, RVCA, Kime Buzzelli’s Showpony, Creative Growth, Jack Spade, Lost & Found, William Good, Heartschallenger, Cobrasnake, Supreme, A+R, Ingo Maurer, Three Asfour, FUCT, Rodarte, Jeremy Scott, Modern Appealing Clothing, Hit + Run and many more. This will be the best store on earth and will only be open for 24 hours then it will disappear. Andrew Andrew will be the 24-hour hosts pod casting, DJing and simply performing acts every hour on the hour.

Presented by Project title sponsors: Levi’s® and M.A.C Cosmetics.

We’d like to thank Sarah and Colette for welcoming The Solitary Arts and showcasing our products at her booth. Geoff did an awesome single-marker drawing for the Colette booth, situated directly in-front, as you enter the department store.