“In Tokyo, skateboarding in the streets during the daytime is difficult because you only have a few tries before security show up. You need to be quick, but that sense of danger created a very own style.”
As part of L’HABITAT,
@nobuo_iseki ,
@azusa25nigo ,
@laurencekeefe and
@naoya_morohashi captured the spirit of risk vs. rewards that shapes skate culture of Tokyo on Polaroid film.
Partly due to the grab-and-go nature created by the restrictions and also a product of the tight physical space in the streets, the nature of skateboarding style in Tokyo is often defined as quick. Quick flicks, quick moves, and quick hits create a sense of urgency that sharply contrasts other cities across the world. Not only does engaging with well-guarded spots drive the aesthetic, but being driven to skate at night creates a relationship with light that is seldom seen anywhere else.
“In Tokyo people are very thoughtful about details - restaurants are so clean, the streets are safe, the housing all about perfection and in balance with nature. For many skateboarding is not only too loud, it’s disrupting the order and damaging the details they care about so much.“
L’HABITAT is on display at
@galeriebete until July 06.
