FOR THOSE WHO POOL RIDE TO SLAYTANIC SOUNDS -- SKATING & SLAYING TIL DEATH.
PIC INFO: Spotlight on Australia’s Jackson Pilz (of Enjoi Bros.) pool-riding the "Hell Awaits" bowl on the then new episode of "Thrasher" Magazine's "King Of The Road" on Viceland, c. 2017. 📸: Joe Brook.
"Burning from within,
You know one spark is all it takes,
Hear the piercing cries of all
Who found that hell awaits."
GETTING DOWN IN DETROIT WITH JOE BROOK | HOUSE OF VANS POP UP
Another epic evening at the House of Vans Detroit Pop Up kicked off! And we’re still pumped up from all the awesome music, art, and activities. We chatted with photographer Joe Brook to find out what he enjoys shooting the most, who some of his favorite photographers are, and the inspiration behind his art installation.
Take the leap!
Photographs by Laura June Kirsch
Can you tell us about your art installation and the different mediums you used to create it?
Vans gave me a lot of freedom to curate my own show, which I really appreciate.
I produced a Xerox photo collage, a group of Risograph photo prints, color photos mounted to foam core, as well as 2 collage posters of the Ride It Sculpture Park from when it was being built. In addition, I also produced a zine, which I went a bit overboard on and some skate videos that I made for "Fatback Productions" were be projected.
What was the inspiration behind it? What was your favorite piece from it?
I was born and raised in Michigan. I learned to skateboard and fell in love with skateboarding while living there. The best times I've had skateboarding were the times I was skating with the friends I grew up with in Michigan. Skateboarding opened a door to a new world for me in the late 80's. From skateboard magazines and videos, I learned about art, music, photos, film and traveling.
This show is for all the Michigan skaters. The zine is my favorite. The zine consists of photos of skaters and scenes from Michigan. It's my love letter to Detroit. It covers some projects we did in Detroit over the past 6 or 7 years which consisted of building the Ride It Sculpture Park as well as a skate art trip I had with skaters who make art, shoot photos, tattoo, paint, sculpture, play music, etc. Those were very special trips for me, and I met some really amazing people in Detroit because of skateboarding.
What hands-on things did folks get to do at your workshop? What did you want folks to take away from it?
I explained what my job consists of beyond just shooting photos. I taught them some techniques on lighting, composition, etc. As well as how to use very basic tools to take photos and make videos.
You don't need a top of the line film camera or video camera to work on a project with your friends, whether it's skating or knitting. Find your passion, document it and don't be afraid of taking chances or failing while shooting photos. Be excited about what you're creating.
What do you enjoy shooting on the most? What type of things are you drawn to photograph?
I like shooting skateboarding as well as other sports, portraits, street photography & landscapes. I enjoy exploring my surroundings. I like to study and watch light. Riding a skateboard makes you see the world we live in in a different light. You are always looking at your surroundings for something to skate, obstacles the everyday person wouldn't even think about. It's the skater's eye. You tend to notice little nuances of life that are different.
Who are currently some of your favorite photographers and videographers?
Daniel Sturt, Michael Burnett, Alex Soth, Frank Ockenfels, Gabe Morford, Tobin Yelland, Brian Gaberman, Arto Saari, Anton Corbijn, Ed Templeton, Nick Jaskey, Anthony Acosta, Lance Dawes, Mark Whiteley, Danny Clinch, Atiba, Thomas Campbell, Jai Tanju, Jerry Hsu, Greg Hunt, Ewan Bowman, Schmitty, Ty Evans, Rye Beres, Jon Minor, Mike Manzoori, Spike Jonze, William Strobeck, French Fred, Serge Vutuc.... there's too many to mention.
A Legendary Crew of Janoski, Barbee, Mendizabal and Many More Shred Detroit
Longtime photographer, Joe Brook, brought together a collection of skateboarding greats to not only shred the once desolate city of Detroit, but to also explore its blossoming artistic energy. Accompanied by the likes of Stefan Janoski, Ray Barbee, Jason Adams, Javier Mendizabal, Zered Bassett, Louie Lopez and many more, Brook and crew show there’s a lot of beauty left in the great American city, even in its modern ruins. “Now, it’s kinda like the phoenix rising from the ashes in a kind of way; it’s like an urban playground for us.”
