Cali Green » skate

Recycled Skateboard Art by Haroshi

art — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:30:33 +0000

There is no end, only transformation…even for your old skateboards. Now you don’t have to feel so bad after you destroy your board and get a concussion trying to Ollie your little sister. OK, so maybe you can feel bad about your concussion, but your skateboard will live on. You can trust that after you regain consciousnesses and turn your board over to the creative hands of an artist, your board will be re-born as a work of art or a very unique piece of furniture. You might even come out with the coolest drink coasters on your block and it could be a good ice-breaker when Marisa comes over for that barbecue. “Yeah, they were made from my old skateboard. I broke a tooth that day.” Or not.

Some of the most impressive works I have seen were created by Japanese sculptor and skateboarder, Haroshi. The first thing that captured my attention was the quality and creativity displayed in his sculptures. He incorporates three-dimensions, mosaic, and pixelation to transform a rough medium into a smooth and structured piece of fine art. Just as a gardener uses dead leaves to create compost for future planting, Haroshi does not revive the battered, scraped, and broken skateboards. Instead, he transforms them into something new and in many eyes: something better.

The finished product, as visually stunning as it may be, is not all it may seem. There is a soul inside each of Haroshi’s creations in the form of a broken metal piece from a skateboard. It cannot be seen, but it is present inside the wooden carving. This practice is similar to “Unkei,” a Japanese sculptor of Buddhas who was active in the 12th Century and used to place a crystal ball in the position of the Buddha’s heart.

Haroshi is another great example of artists thinking outside the box and blending innovation with creativity and Eco-mindedness. These decks could have very easily ended up in a land-fill, but instead they draw our attention in art galleries. As I stare at the sculptures myself, I wonder if perhaps I am missing something. Is it possible to find potential and beauty in everything? Right now, I am thinking YES.

Screaming My Hand, 2010

Screaming My Foot, 2010

Mad Skull, 2009

Tattoo Bear, 2009

Moose, 2010

Mario Series, 2009

Piles of skateboard decks in Haroshi's studio

The Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Skate Plaza

dirtyRascal — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:14:40 +0000

The Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew

Venice Beach California was off the hook this past sat as the Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Skate plaza was opened by Skate Legends Geri Lewis and Jesse Martinez. This park has been a long time coming.

Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Skate park Defa About to drop in

Legend Christian Hosoi Shredding the bowl

I remember going to venice back in the day when the pit was still around and remember seeing some of the illest skaters of our time skating the gaps and murdering skate tricks with a grafitti layered background.

Venice Pit with Risk Mural

Now the 3.4 million dollar 16,000 square foot skate park dream is a reality in Venice Beach. Geri Lewis and Jesse Martinez were on hand to cut the ribbon and release the thousands of skaters upon the park Saturday morning.

Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Tribute Mural

The park consists of Bowls, Steps and Ledges and is graffiti free for the moment but we will see how long that lasts. Dog Town was in the house With Original members and a sick party we had the chance of attending.

Dog Town Venice Beach

Live Coverage was provided by Venice Paparazzi. Thanks to Venice Originals for getting us in as clothing sponsors and letting Cali Green Clothing Be apart of California History.

Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Skate park

As always the graffiti walls were in full effect and you could really feel the Dog town Spirit Flowing threw the streets of Venice Beach that afternoon.

Venice Beach Free walls site of original Venice Pit

On a final note Dog Town Z Boys skated and continue to skate because they love what they do and have in in there soul, make sure in life you follow your dreams and do what makes you happy and you will change the world for the better the way they did.

-drp

Legend Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew

lucas – a short skate video

caligreen — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:54:04 +0000

We met Lucas when we first opened the Cali Green store back in November 2008. The local skate kids would stop by from time to time looking to get sponsored and might walk out with some stickers and a shirt or two. Standing tall at roughly 4ft our smallest shirt nearly buried Lucas but he would rock the gear anyway and regularly stopped by to shake down with whoever might be chillin that day. Needless to say Lucas became the homie, and he gathers much respect at the skate park for his skate or die attitude so when the opportunity to shoot some video came up we went straight to Lucas. Also we thought it would be a cool birthday present since he just turned 9 years old. The video will be coming soon so stay tuned to our twitter and we’ll keep you posted on some exclusive footage.

Special thanks to Andrew from ALA Film, Kenny Knox 805 ink for the logo and of course Lucas and his family for being supportive and involved in this project.

Peace!

lucas landingin - skate video coming soon

Venice Skatepark Opening

molloy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:52:43 +0000

Cali Green will be out supporting the opening of the Venice skatepark this Saturday, Oct. 3. The 16,000 sq. ft park cost $2.4-million to build and will be the biggest in California.

We will be giving out hats and stickers at a opening day party hosted by Venice Originals, a local skateshop that carries Cali Green gear. Venice locals like Jay Adams and Tony Alva will be there along with performances by DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) and Perry Ferrell (Jane’s Addiction), among others. Should be a good time, come on out join the party. Just tell them that you’re friends with this guy and they’ll let you right in . . .

-MM