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DISPOSABLE - A History Of Skateboard Art

by Sean Cliver

There have been a few skateboard graphic based books floating around out there (in fact I recently saw one published by Mtv Books?) but never one with the insight and depth of Disposable. This is a book put together by a skateboard artist and not a bunch of design writers who think they know skating but fail at ‘getting it’. This is a book created by and written for skateboarders.

The book is based around the self-told story of Sean Cliver and his life and times as a skateboard artist. He describes his interviews and first graphics job with Powell Peralta, meeting legendary artist VCJ, jumping ship to work for Rocco and the decks he created along the way. Cliver also assembles some of the best artists to tell their own stories. Mark McKee (World Industries, Blind), Jim Phillips (Santa Cruz), Mike Hill (Alien Workshop) are all in top form here…but it’s some of the lesser known artists that really make the book. Guys like Bernie Tostenson (who created the Sims Lester, and Screamer), Andy Takakjian (the first Gonz graphic for Vision), and the mighty Pushead (Zorlac) describe their design process working with some of the great pros on their first graphics.

Also included throughout are stories about specific boards told by the pros who rode them. Mike Vallely talks about the infamous World Industries Barnyard. Tommy Guerrero explains his flaming dagger. Grigley discusses the Old Ghosts series. If you have a favorite board…it’s in here and most likely explained. Cliver has done a fantastic job of collecting and organizing the most important boards ever produced.

Anyone who has skated for even a brief period of time can remember the graphic on the bottom of their favorite deck. The artwork became a part of your story…why you picked that board to skate, and why it spoke to you. This book is an extension of that feeling…and I can’t imagine any skater NOT getting stoked on reliving that “new board” feeling as well as learning more about their favorite board’s history.

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To learn more about the book, visit the Disposable website. This in-depth site features preview spreads, an extensive collection of board galleries organized by skater and artist, and links to buy the book online. Check out the ‘Wanted’ section and see if you can help Cliver locate some lost boards for future additions of the book. A great resource…after checking it out you’ll wish every book had a website like this.

- Chris

12/21

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