RIDE THE DRAGON / THE ART OF SKATEBOARDING at K11 Shanghai

Curated by the Skateboardmuseum Berlin – The exhibition examined the roots, the technical & visual aspects of skateboarding, a lifestyle that has influenced youth culture since the early 1960’s. Looking at its two counterparts, urban art itself and skateboard design, the exhibition explored the wide range of styles and visual expressions of both. While skateboarding is often seen as an underground movement, it has however conquered the cities around the world, making them their entrepreneurs’ concrete playgrounds. Whereby in about the same time various creative artists have also chosen those same cityscapes to be their urban public galleries. What brings those creative minds together is not only the streets itself, but their pure passion for the city and urban lifestyle at its roots. And it is on that fundamental level, that skateboarding became far more than just a piece of sports equipment.

Inspired by one of the most influential skateboarders of all time Steve Caballero and his iconic Dragon board graphics the idea was born by the curator Juergen Bluemlein to create a skate-able sculpture and giving credit to traditional Chinese culture. As the Center piece of the show – the artist Lilo Krebernik designed and executed the build together with Panda Mei in DIY concrete style. With its creative drive and positive energy, it represents a new approach of life and has become a cultural phenomenon like no other!

ClientVANS chinaServicesart direction and exhibition designYear2019