… comes alive visually in 250 amazing full bleed photographs that span 30 years, from over 40 photographers.

FULL BLEED at MILK STUDIOS
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Full Bleed: New York City Skateboard Photography
(Buy Now)
By Ivory Serra
By Andre Razo
By Alex Corporan

Skateboarding in New York City is a singular experience. It is impossible not to feel the magnitude of the landscape, and with the city in constant motion, skateboarding is both exhilarating and extremely dangerous. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this vast terrain. Only one thing is certain—the skaters and images produced in New York City are wholly unique.
The shots in Full Bleed span 30 years, with contributions from over 40 photographers. This is the first-ever comprehensive overview of the one of the most diverse and rich skating locations in the world, bringing together legendary skaters and iconic photographers.
Featuring the work of: Giovanni Reda, Jessica Bard, Ivory Serra, Tobin Yelland, Miki Vuckovich, Thomas Campbell, Larry Clark, Ed Templeton, Jerry Hsu, Atiba Jefferson, Bryce Kanights, Angela Boatwright, Athena Currey, Kenneth Cappello, Charlie Samuels, Andy Kessler, Mike O’Meally, Sammy Glucksman, Allen Ying, and more.

The NYC skateboarding community will likely lose a beloved historical landmark and it will never be the same even if they give it back.

Architectural structures reveal a great deal about their social context, not simply by their intended use, but by the spontaneous and evolving communal activity that is discovered in rivalry, camaraderie, the spirit of play and the human pursuit of something epic.

New York City – the greatest “engineering work of the Continent” unintentionally became one of the most skatable international cities, drawing skateboarders from all over the world, across all social classes and racial demographics, who come to pay tribute to its urban beauty.

“The contemplated work, when constructed in accordance with my design, will not only be the greatest bridge in existence, but it will be the great engineering work of the Continent and of the age.”

- Report to the New York Bridge Company September 1, 1867 – Plan and Details of Anchorage, Approaches, Towers, and Steel Cables.

It was built. They came. Now they are taking it away…. again.
But there is hope.

The answer lies in the very initiative the drives skateboarding; creative expression. If the space beneath the bridge is destined to be destroyed, than perhaps the skateboarding community needs to stop saying "what a bummer man" and rethink the situation.

The outcome could be so much greater then the reality. Also, if it is possible to keep it open when the space is not being used, then it will give the community a chance to part with it.

To me, the best solution would be to create an unprecedented skate-able tribute, in honor of the esteemed history of the Brooklyn Banks, and then, to let evolution take it’s course.

Briefly, about the Brooklyn Banks

It was through compromise and consideration, that the Brooklyn Banks became a local skate spot, thanks to the dedicated few who turned frustration into action.

There have always been controversies. Skaters, everywhere, through-out history have been pushed out of parks, parking lots, pools, and other spaces. There was very little salvation and only a few places where they were accepted. But they adapted and found forgotten places, took them over guerilla-diy style and made them something far more then they were intended to be. And they’ve lost them.

The Brooklyn Banks is a unique park that truly reflects the spirit of New York City.

When it was built in 1960’s, its purpose was to make use of the dark crime-infested space, between the bridge’s off-ramp and the anchorage. (The anchorage houses the four massive steel cables that suspend the “Great Avenue” across the East River, and connect Manhattan to Brooklyn. ) Skaters were drawn to it’s rolling brick face and seclusion – there was nothing else like it. Now, it a landmark, that attracts more then just skateboarders; bikers, inliners, scooter kids, filmers and photographers.

The banks are not like Burnside or FDR, infamous skater-built and skater-funded parks, with huge concrete transitions and territorial locals. It is a park that became so much more then it intended to be. The very spirit of the Brooklyn Banks’s existence today (thanks to the efforts of leaders in community) has been built out of compromise and perseverance. That is what makes it special.

Interesting fact: In the 1980’s, VCRs came on the scene and the legendary 1985 Powell Peralta release Future-Primitive featured New York City. (Future Primitive: A collection of essays, by John Zerzan, asserting that engineering and technology are carefully constructed means of enslaving people.)

Understanding the conflict

What the DOC?

The Brooklyn Bridge is among the most severely dilapidated bridges in the United States. A very complicated reconstruction and restoration project is about to begin in December. They say until 2014. The New York City Department of Transportation has quietly announced that they will be closing down the Manhattan park known as the Brooklyn Banks and using it as parking lot for the heavy machinery required to restore the bridge.

Of course, human life should take precedence.

However, the skateboarding community did not find out the details of the park’s closure until a Downtown Express reporter overheard it in a planning meeting. Skateboarding advocates have since asked for more information, so that maybe there is a chance to save something…

something can mean everything.

Is asking for a little consideration too much?

In an essence, skateboarding advocates are scrambling, on last minute notice, for an opportunity to know the facts. With the facts, they can help facilitate a compromise that pays due respect to the revered landmark that is being taken from them. Skateboarding advocates are not unrealistic. The safety of the Brooklyn Bridge and human life takes precedence, no matter how significant the park is. However, the local skaters deserve to have a voice, as well as, the thousands who have made the pilgrimage to New York and have paid homage to The Brooklyn Banks. But will the New York City Departments of Transportation and Parks give such a small thing, as a bit of consideration? They should. Because they will have been a part of something epic.

Win / Win

When you think back to the when Philadelphia took hostage of Love Park, you have to wonder if, with compromise, the city and it’s community could have created something greater.

If skateboarders are anything, they are persistent. And over the years, skateboarding has proved that it is an economic force to be reckoned with. There are opportunities here. To do something greater than imagined, but they can’t be pursued without an understanding of what the DOC’s plan is.

A worthy tribute

The bricks that have been laid each hold an incalculable value.
What better way to pay tribute to the importance the Banks and the evolution of New York City skateboarding, then to perhaps design a new public space or art installation, from the very bricks that already exist? Before they are destroyed.

So if this article serves as anything, it should be to call out to those creative thinkers and builders of public art to do something. Even if all it is, is an idea. Do something. Before it is too late.

The future is not set in stone.

Instead of focusing at what will be lost, we need seize the opportunity to preserve and memorialize the symbolic importance of the legendary skate spot. The Brooklyn Banks were not always what it is today. Part of the beauty of evolution is what is constructed out of destruction.

Final thoughts for the haters.

There have been comments on other articles questioning the significance of the Brooklyn Banks, making statements like "They suck.", "They are not that well known" or "Typical elitist east coast thinking." Clearly these comments come from those who can’t hang with the monster truckers that skate here in New York.

1. A look back at the struggles and triumphs that have gone down in this place is proof enough that the Brooklyn Banks are a legitimate and important icon in New York City skateboarding.
2. The Brooklyn Banks have been represented in the famous street course built by the Maloof Brothers in Costa Mesa California
3. Some of the first east coast / New York competitions took place at the Brooklyn Banks. Not soft cushy competitions put on by corporations, but unprecedented, guerilla-syle, street comps.
4. There is a tech deck representation of the Brooklyn Banks.
5. Only small minded idiotic wannabe’s who have absolutely nothing to offer can claim that the Brooklyn Banks mean nothing. You can take your small…. err… mindedness and go do something ordinary in the smooth little skate park that "your daddy" built you. So if you truely have nothing to offer, shut the hell up you scum bag, jerk offs..

Diversity is cool, it ups the ante, but connection is awesome.

See entire afro-punk 2009 Alubum

If there was ever a good idea, with the right leadership and philanthropically cool vibe of visionary genius, the Afro-Punk Festival 2009 in Brooklyn was it.  It is a gift to its community.

There were many events that took place, but I am really only (roughly) qualified to write about one of them.  The one that brought me to the  iconic Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in the first place, skateboarding.

Skateboarding

URBANx bATTLE FOR THE STREETS

East Coast riders showed up from all over;  North Carolina, the Jers, PA, F L A, and of course our own New York City soldiers brought the muscle.  Skaters from every sort of background battled it out in a Brooklyn style warfare; charging a board slide on the rail through hung up skateboards and oncoming skaters, they took hard digs and went head to head at out at the URBANX Battle for the streets.  Even the girls.  It was really sick.

The 5Boro Crew

Steve Rodriguez, the boss of the New York City skateboarding scene, as well as the entire 5Boro crew came out and supported the event in full force, not only by sponsoring the $5000 best trick contest, but also working the event and psyching up the kids on skateboarding.  A special shout out to consigliere Tombo, who spent so many hours manning the skatepark sign up desk this Independence day weekend with a thousand kids asking the question “What’s today’s date?”

Other sponsors such Homage Skate Shop, Nike SB, ESPN X Games, Zoo York, Shut, Vox and volunteers helped support the event Skateboarding and BMX competitions.

The Afro-Punk Festival

With 40 bands, 24 films, a live graffiti-art installation, custom built skate park, and a BMX course one would think you’d have to buy tickets or know somebody important to get in, not the case.  This community-inspired event was 100% free and I’m not just talking about the entertainment.   Mountain Dew provided free soda and water for all, Open Road and Nike SB sponsored free skateboarding clinics, 5Boro put on a barrage of free demos.  MetroPlus even helped those in need, get free Medical and Dental insurance.

It was amazing and inspirational to see so many people come together and celebrate.  Also those who supported the effort and volunteered their time to make it happen.  I know that I am not doing the event justice.  There was so much going on and so many people, that I couldn’t possibly account for every one of them.   I’m just glad I got to be there. 

See entire afro-punk 2009 Alubum

UPDATE:  As of May 30th, LES Skate Park has Skate Art thanks to Open Road and other organizations in the city.  Wooooo!

I am frustrated that the Upper East Side and East Harlem still don’t have a single decent place for local kids to skate without having to dodge baseballs and adult hockey players.  There are a couple spots we’ve found in the projects of East Harlem where local kids hang out, but they are not exactly safe, nor are they accessible.

I don’t live in the other communities, so I can only speak for mine.  I’m sure we’re are not alone here.

Most decent places, unused places even, have been gated off and of course every courtyard has been doctored with ugly skate stops and even wrought iron gates, so as to make the public space exclusive to hotel guests.

Embrace it, because we are not going anywhere.

New York City is not a surf town, New York City  is  not snowboarding / skiing town, New York City is the concrete jungle.  You built this.  We came and now you have to own up to what you’ve created. 

A phenomenon.   So… take what you invested in art installations like the orange flags of Central Park and put that into skateboarding and you will be amazed by what you’ve done.  People will come and they will be impressed… and not only the skaters.

Even property owners should have an interest in this, because if you give us realistic alternatives, chances are we will abandon your "high level bust spots" and settle comfortably into new skatable hassle free public spaces.

The real problem:  The city overestimates what local skaters need. 

We actually do not require a lot of space!  Nor a big investment.

Whenever local communities talk about providing space for skaters the bureaucrats flip out because they believe that in order to provide space, they have to build ramps and half pipes, hire staff to manage it, and pay for the insurance to cover the park.  The few scantily designed skate parks are on the outskirts of New York where they are only accessible to a limited number of people/kids who can travel.

There are affordable and aesthetically appealing alternatives.

We are New York City, living in the year 2009, not California> in the 70′s. 

New York City re-invented street skating (Some will criticize this, but it’s true.)  It was east coast kids living in dilapidated urban neighborhoods who looked at park benches and ledges and rails and thought; I want to skate that!  

NEW YORK CITY needs to embrace the flavor that the skateboarding community adds to this city because we are here and we make money for this city.  Look at brands and stores that reside in SoHo and you’ll find that they are strongly influenced by our presence.

Even look at the additional commerce we bring to areas like DUMBO, where Bodegas stay in business purely because of the LES skate park’s existence. And even consider the fact that every skater has an MTA card in their pocket, because we are constant drifters on the public transportation system. 

In fact, you could even consider us a perfectly green movement in the coolest, ground breaking city in the world.

Skate spots need to be relevant

Non-skateboarding entities and public parks produce "Pre-Fab Skate Parks” that are often out of touch with today’s form of skateboarding and these playground structures have only helped to keep skaters away from the very skate parks your tax dollars help pay for, Says Team Pain.  "As skateboarders we view our surroundings, our architecture in a different perspective; as a possible “skate spot”. Every building, courtyard, alley, ditch and sidewalk is a potential place to skate. What is unique and new to be skated? The desire to find a new spot that is challenging and inspiring to skate, film and take photographs. Skaters gather together where marble benches, ledges, stairs, handrails and sculptural pieces exist; purely because of this creative perspective. We seek challenges that give us a sense of freedom." – Team Pain

What you think we want and what we need are two different things. 

Stop trying to hoard us into small gated areas on the far west side of Manhattan and give us some simply designed open spaces in our own neighborhoods, where parents can take their kids and spend the day.

There are ways to create skateable spaces that are as much a part of the city’s aesthetic as any other public space.  Team Pain presented their skateable public art at the 2009 Surf Expo in Florida this year.  Their creative approach makes public art multifunctional and aesthetically pleasing. 

Skateparks are usually made up of features that the intermediate to advanced skaters can really take advantage of but beginners struggle with. Imagine having a place with a couple of concrete bumps and a concave baby pool, along with creative some benches and ledges.  Neighborhood places where anybody go with their kids and enjoy the time they spend with them.

Think about all of the creative ways you can make that space useful and interesting and thought provoking.

"Our aim with Skate Art and consistent mission is to keep the roots of skateboarding alive by offering elements that are unique, custom and offer challenges to any skateboarder. Skate Art is individual pieces that are specific to street skating and allows you to customize each piece with various materials, colors, patterns and even custom art work, offering an aesthetically pleasing solution for municipalities to include street skating elements into their parks system and other various uses. Our experienced team of skate park professionals would assist in the design and layout of each custom piece to create a street inspired skate park or one to several pieces to be placed within an existing skate park or public space to ensure proper skateability and pedestrian safety." – Team Pain

Rival Skate Shop in Tribeca is not, in any way, glossed over for commercial appeal and is clearly a venture driven by devotees of the east coast scene.. skateboarding… Nike sneakers… and hip hop.

$45 Skateboard Decks with grip (no tax) is hard to come by in Manhattan, actually it was impossible unless you get lucky with the toss out pile.

The product Rival carries is legit and a lot of it is local and/or features local skaters like Jason Dill and Stevie Williams. You’ll find decks by 5 BORO and SHUT, Alien, DGK, Organica and Expedition. There was bike stuff too.

"Dude, that’s Vinny Ponte.  He’s like the first guy to ollie the love park 4 in 1993. "

The ambiance may be minimalistic but it is organic to skateboarding with exposed brick, cement floors and a box to sit on. The guys there “mess around with it outside sometimes”. It was pretty gnar. My feet dangled. I would totally want to see what went down though.

$45 Skateboard Decks with grip (no tax) is hard to come by in Manhattan, actually it was impossible unless you get lucky with the toss out pile.  This is one the primary reasons I think Rival is my favorite downtown hardcore shop. My favorite display in the entire store was a tall cardboard “bronation” box by the door that read $5 skateboards. If you have old boards lying around, drop them off so that some kid can get lucky one day. It’s just a cool thing to do.

If you are a skater, a NIKE SB lovin sneaker fan, or hip hop mixtape head, then you have to drop down to Tribeca and check this place out.  There’s a likely chance that if you do, you could come face to face with a local legend…

..but Vinny Ponte is a pretty cordial guy so you can just lurk about and stare at the selection of sick merchandise (while pretending to not be impressed). Whatever you do, it’s worth your time.  If you’ve ever seen videos of Vinny skate he trucks, hard.  You can find some ill videos of him and Danny Supa hitting New York and Philly on youtube, Vicious Circle and All Systems Go.   Vinny, aka djRiddler, can also be found in some ill hip hop footage with Raikwon, from Wu-Tang.  Wu-Tang!

225 Hudson Street; 212-929-7222