Monthly Archives: October 2010
Brick and Mortar Art show in downtown SLC
Brick and Mortar
Brick and Mortar is Salt Lakes newest locally owned skateshop. Located downtown owner Hondo prides himself in being Salt Lakes only Skate exclusive shop. This weekend Brick and Mortar had another first, its first art show/exhibit. The show featured four artists; Weston Colton (photography), Sam Milianta (photography), Chris”tobal” Kellar (paint), and Colt Bowden (woodworking).
The timing of this exhibit was very fortuitous as I had just been thinking over the past month or so that Id like to start buying some art from skateboarders and snowboarders. I found Tobals Blog online and instantly became a fan of his art and was even more stoked to find that he not only lived in the SLC area but that he would have some items at this showing. There was one particular piece of his that I was really interested in called “Luchador at Law”.
Luchador at Law
I was drawn to the piece from Tobals explanation of it.
“While looking for my headphones I found the movie “Nacho Libre” buried between a stack of Thrasher Magazines I had in my room. I popped it in the dvd player to have some background noise while I was painting. I had a hard time focusing on the painting cause I kept looking up and laughing at the movie. So I decided to paint this Luchador in a business suit. It made me think about, how the majority of people in life end up being something completely opposite of what they dreamed of as a kid. This guy always wanted to be a luchador but ended up being a lawyer.” From MindOfTOBAL
If youve read my stuff long enough you know this is right up my alley. Im always interested in how people trap themselves in boring 40 hour work week jobs that they have convinced themselves are impossible to leave. I picture this guy unhappy and putting on his luchador mask at night and wishing hed taken a different path. It was there. I bought it. Im stoked.
The other three artists had some nice things as well. Colt Bowden had some really cool pieces made from old skateboards that he refers to as skate hobos. You can check out not only his art but his pictures from the show on his blog; colts room.
Sam Milianta had a collection of black and white photos that were a good mix of skate and lifestyle shots. You can check out more of his stuff at Trife Status Bloggy Blog.
Weston Colton had a collection of color shots including skateboarding, lifestyle, and landscapes. Although I hadnt planned on purchasing anything else other than the Tobal piece when I saw one of Coltons shots I knew I had to have it.
Bloody
Sometimes great art surpasses your ability to explain how it touches you. Its hard to explain how I felt when I saw this photograph. As skateboarders we are different. Simple things that people ignore or take for granted we see the beauty in. We understand that the price we pay in pain,scrapes, and broken bones will never be greater than the satisfaction we receive from pulling a trick. This picture for me sums up the difference between skateboarders and other people. Where a normal person would be grimacing in pain at these bloody hands a skateboarder simply smiles. I bought it. You can check out more of Westons photography on his blog Weston Colton Photo Blog and his site westoncoltonphoto.com
All in all a great night and I cant wait until November 19th when I can get my newly purchased pieces home!
The exhibit
Standards “The Storming” SLC premiere
First things first with this write up. Standard historically does not have premieres in SLC. In fact they arent very Utah heavy in really any aspect of their movies. Im not sure if theres some behind the scenes drama or what but it is what it is. However this year Standards release “The Storming” includes long time SLC rider/resident Erin Comstock and I guess she just wasnt having any of that. Erin went out on her own secured a venue, posted the flyers around the local shops, and then hosted (along with Hana Beaman) the event to close out the premiere season in Salt Lake for 2010/2011. So props and thanks to Erin for showing some SLC pride and getting this thing done.
Standards films are some that I always enjoy but to be honest I dont purchase them every season. I think the last one I purchased was Catch the Vapors (good flick). Part of that is probably due to the Utah stuff I mentioned above because I like to see movies with people I know or places I get to ride and since Standard isnt Utah heavy they usually dont make my must buy list. Thats just a personal thing however and doesnt reflect on the quality of the movies that Standard produces because as I said above I do always enjoy their films.
The Storming had several standout parts this season…
Luebke’s big mountain lines were insane as were Xavier De Le Rue’s. Its amazing some of the stuff these guys are doing out there in the wild.
In the urban jungle both Helgason’s hold it down with their patented brand of rail combos and I was also stoked to get a little glimpse of Rome rider and personal fave Will Lavigne.
This season Standard has a large portion of the film dedicated to the ladies. Its good to see a large production company dedicate a big portion of their film to the girls. Pelosi, Fasani, Beaman, Comstock, and young DC rider Raewyn Reid all hold it down with back country booters, rails to banks, wallrides, and big gaps. I was really impressed with Reids riding shes definitely a glimpse into the future of ladies riding and the result of trail blazers like Beaman and Comstock. Speaking of Erin I was also super impressed with her stuff. Having been around for quite a while Erin could easily get away with the “established pro” part of a few big stock tricks but she doesnt do that. She brings it full on with gap out wall rides and some nice shots including her ender gap over stairs/railing to flat .. fully legit. One more note on the ladies, Hana Beaman hits a cornice and does a huge BS 5 (possibly a BS5 im not sure it was first viewing and obviously I couldnt rewind it) and although she doesnt land it she raises the bar for all the ladies in the future, the crowd definitely recognized it and gave a rousing cheer.
Of course ender goes to Horgmo who once again slays all terrain from backcountry to park to rails. Culminating with the infamous triple cork that circulated around the interwebs towards the backend of the summer.
All in all a great flick as always from Standard. After the movie there was the traditional product toss thanks to Neff, Burton, Roxy, and Vans. On this night there was also a costume competition for boards, a raffle for lots of other prizes and finally a raffle for a Park City season pass (sweet!).
Erin and Hana holding it down in SLC
Entrants for the costume contest
Dress like a monkey = win a snowboard
One of those little things in snowboarding that I like so so much
Theres no denying that snowboarding in some of its forms is just skateboarding on the snow. Even back in the day in Tahoe it was people like Noah Salasnek (who also skated for H-Street) who were pushing the sport. Today the influence is way more obvious from handrails and urban riding to people like Gus Engle who are kick flipping and doing shove its left and right. However there is one area that skating doesnt have a huge influence and thats big mountain and back country riding. Theres a certain aspect of getting fresh lines that I like more than any other and that is “the lookback”. You know what Im talking about, “the lookback” is that moment when you reach the bottom of that chute, bowl, or whatever and you take a second to lookback at your track. Its just one of those little moments of stoke that make the whole day awesome. Looking back with your friends checking your tracks maybe even plotting the next line sharing a laugh and making memories… God I love snowboarding!
Happy Hour Gigi does “the lookback”
Upcoming on the Blahg
Standard premiere tonight
Skate photog/art show at Brick and Mortar friday
Brighton Heavy Metal free jib session Saturday (if I can get up there in time)
Write ups on all through out the weekend as well as two more general articles I have in the works .. hope you are having a great day and hope the snow is starting to find you!
Make your own snow…..
So its late October and places are opening up around the country with the help of high capacity industrial snow making and some prolonged cold snaps. Who cares if its the WROD (white ribbon of death) as long as its on the ground right? Enthusiastic riders are also taking the small amounts of natural snow and beginning to erect the first DIY backyard parks of the season. However I hear some of you out there saying ” but Burrito, we dont have any snow here! Its cold but we are just not getting the moisture and my wife/girlfriend/local authorities/mother/landlord/loan officer said there was no way in hell I was putting a high cap snow machine in the back yard.”
Well to that I would like to say to you contact the great folks in Logan Utah at Second Nature Snow Making. Having been in business since 1999 these guys have it down to a science. They make low cost backyard snow machines that are capable of laying approximately an inch per hour in a 12×35 foot area and thats plenty of room for your box set up. They only make a limited number of machines each season and sales start November 1st. Check their site for details, photos, pricing, videos, FAQs, and even a handy calculator where you can plug in numbers and get coverage approximations for 2,6, and 12 hrs of snow making.
Check out Second Nature….
Second Nature Homepage for answers to all your questions.
Second Nature Facebook for up to date notices.
Second Nature Twitter for snow making info from not only Second Nature but for snow making news all over the country.
Second Natures Vimeo to see what all the fuss is about.
