Skateboarding is a fascinating subculture, closely related to counterculture, tightly intertwined with lifestyle, sports, and art. The subculture began humbly in Southern California and now spreads to enthusiasts in remote areas of the globe. Moreover, the geographical location heavily influences both the type of skateboarding and related art elements that occur and persist. Furthermore, a variety of participatory groups including those that do not necessarily engage in actual skateboarding, consequently augment the sport with complementary artistic aspects. Observing the various consistent art contributions and creative facets of the sport provides acknowledgement of skateboarding as an Art World.

Although the Art World of Skateboarding is expressively displayed through numerous means, performance of maneuvers is the defining facet. These maneuvers are particularly different due to location and individual style, just as maneuvers would be in a ballet. Through performance art, a moving canvas medium forms in the shape of a Skateboard Deck. Decks’ have been adored with artwork or graphics since the inception of the sport during the fifties. Specifically, not until the late seventies and early eighties did decks become a medium artists and skaters wanted to use to convey a message or expression. Consequently, countless works have adorned decks since the adolescence of modern skateboarding. Additionally, many of these works and decks can be found displayed on the walls of homes, museums, and in particular The Skateboard Museum (Skatelab) located in Simi Valley, CA. Progression drives documentation, leading to substantial photo and video documentation of skateboarding and the lifestyle that follows. Graffiti Artists, such as Basquiat and Justin Bua, began by following skateboarders to adorn decks with painting but also moving ahead to explore access and locales of their future canvases. During the progression, starting on the west coast of the United States, local governments began to construct parks for the participants to congregate. Particularly, these were created as deterrence from participation in the lifestyle on the streets and to give a home to the growing populous. Parks have changed since their inception, now designed by professional artists and skaters, becoming an Art World unto their own, presenting a canvas for skaters, artists, and documenters to pursue their work.

Skateparks have become central in a variety of settings in communities across the world. The Art Worlds exist through a variety of neighborhoods, and geographical locations, with each location determining how the park is designed and built. With the birth of skateparks on the west coast, the Pacific Northwest quickly became a mecca for skateboarding and the creation of skateparks. Portland is an epicenter for both, being known as “the skate capitol of the world”, with more skateparks per capita than any other city in the United States. In fact Portland made an exciting move, in 2000, the City enacted a code, making it legal to skateboard on most city streets. Portland exemplifies being a skatepark city by embracing the Art World shaping Burnside Skatepark. Burnside Skatepark resides under the eastside of the Burnside Bridge, and began as a "DIY" park created by local skaters. At present the park still exists to this capacity, but receives funding from the city and holds a Board of Directors. Burnside and its’ twenty-five year existence in Portland represent how the Pacific Northwest, and in particular Oregon, has embraced skate culture and the creation of skateparks in communities. Consequently, the embrace of skate culture throughout Portland has created an Art World in skateparks, which is unique, sustainable and fosters the various facets of skateboarding.




Skateparks of PDX



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