The HUB Newspaper by manu labadie

The HUB Paper A journal about creation initiated by DC Shoes

Issue 1 - Spring 2012

The HUB Paper Issue 1 - Spring 2012 - A journal about creation initiated by DC Shoes

Hommy Diaz – NVRBRKN

p. 3

Raoul Gilioli

Sofia Nebiolo Charlie Shazer - Kids Love Ink p. 6

Joshua Hughes-Games Gaston Francisco

p. 11

p. 36

Ruben Sanchez

p. 38

Eric Mirbach

p. 8

Paul Whitfield

p. 10

Coke Bartrina

p. 4

p. 40

p. 42

Walter Giordano

p. 44

E. Lameignère & E. Labadie - Burning Ink

p. 46

DC Shoes Europe, 162 rue Belharra, 64500 St Jean de Luz, France

Art direction, content production & design by Christophe Victoor

DC Shoes - The HUB, 15 rue Montorgueil, 75001 Paris, France mydclife.com - dcshoes.com - facebook.com/dcshoeseurope

Hommy Diaz – NVRBRKN Hommy Diaz is the Global Lifestyle Merch. Design & Marketing Director for NVRBRKN (to pronounce “Never Broken”). Hommy, through the line he represents, pays homage to the roots of skateboard and street culture.

What is this different between NVRBRKN. and the casual DC Shoes lines?

What’s your background? Born and raised in New York City. My parents were born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I am now living in Los Angeles, CA.

The difference is that NVRBRKN. is more concept driven. Athleticism plays a part in the products designed to boost confidence and enhance an athlete’s lifestyle off the board during downtime or while recovering from an injury. The goal is to never compromise on comfort for the sake of fashion. Instead innovate with fashion utilizing premium and technical materials to make a functional statement. The casual line serves more as a broader distribution of laid back simple silhouettes in contrast to the NVRBRKN. line which is produced in smaller quantities and limited in distribution.

Describe a typical day at the office. A typical day in the office consists of me working closely with all the departments; product design, branding, development and marketing. It’s like playing a game of ‘Twister’ while keeping my left foot down on a colored circle representing Spring/Summer 2013, the right foot on a second circle for Fall/Holiday 2012, my right hand on a third circle for Spring/ Summer 2012, left hand on a fourth circle for Fall/Holiday 2011. Then my head up in the air dreaming about Fall/Holiday 2013.

What is the meaning of NVRBRKN.?

Where do your influences come from?

Never broken is a metaphor about the will and determination to overcome adversity, both mentally and physically. This philosophy is supported by a concept collection consisting of footwear, apparel, and accessories. Products designed to boost confidence and enhance an athlete’s lifestyle off the board during downtime or while recovering from an injury. The primary word mark logo is a stylized short name consisting of the consonants taken from the two words “never broken” combined into one seven-letter word. A design philosophy in support of the DCSHOES 7-point DNA. The broken star logo mark is a reinterpretation of the 7-point star within the DC Shoes logo. It is a visual representation of a competitive attitude maintaining its original form despite the fracture of one of its points.

I find influence where most people may least expect it. For me the magic happens when I’m away from the desk having a good time else where. I find valuable influence while spending time with family. I am fortunate to have over 30 first cousins that keep me motivated to do my best while setting a good example for them to respect. What are your favorite aspects of your city? Favorite part of my hometown of New York City is the melting pot of different cultures. Its hard to not be consumed by diversity which I consider a privilege. www.nvrbrkn.com 3

Raoul Gilioli Raoul Gilioli is an Italian artist based in Turin. DC Shoes Italy already supported a few of his personnal projects, such as Skatheroisme travelling exhibition and book, and the 8SK8 installation. He will be exhibiting his work at The HUB later this spring. What’s your background?

Describe a typical day for you.

I was born and raised in Turin, between the Fiat factory and the railway. In high school, I focused on art courses, then I went to IAAD. After college, I lived in fun fairs and luna parks between gipsies and roller coaster keepers. When I was 21, I moved to Central America. I spent 3 years there, baking pizzas for a living and surfing all day. After that, I lived for a while in Rotterdam, working as a designer and doing graffiti on glass surfaces.

In Turin I live in a house with a garden, with my gorgeous red head daughter and my emo dog. I wake up early in the morning, I spend the first hours surfing on the web to find inspiration. I ride my bike to organic and biological markets to buy vegetables. Then I realize I’m already late on my schedule and I focus all my energy on my work during the afternoon and evening and night, although I don’t give up on friends and nightlife.

What kind of art do you produce?

What are your favorite aspects about your city?

In italy, I created an ion jewelry brand, and a design company. Later on, I started taking photographs and recording people’s life. That’s the theme I care about the most. I’m not interested in photographic method, design and painting rules. I use these things simply as a medium to communicate what I think and what I’m interested in. I love doing installations, photos, videos and design objects. My biggest passion is the human being.

I love its industrial archeology, the mix of fog and rusted iron and concrete, the liberty and baroque architecture and the rivers. I love the green hills and white mountains surrounding it. Torino is full of art, music and fog. Please explain the story behind Skatheroisme. Skatheroisme was born right after Polanski’s work that was based on people’s identity and their desire for change. I dress some skaters up as gypsies, following their desire to be wanderers (skate is nomadic). I made them skate between thrash on homemade ramps made with waste, near real gypsies. DC Shoes Italia is fantastic, the people in it believed in my project with trust and confidence and they gave me a budget to make one exhibition. With that budget I made five, in the main cities of italy, in galleries and art museums, following the journey spirit of gypsies. In every city the local skate community was waiting for us. Together we built the ramps out of trash, and during the vernissage the skaters rode the ramps that were in the middle of the exhibition. All the papers in Italy wrote about it. Now the Turin based skaters mix some gypsy clothes with their regular ones!

How would you describe your style when it comes to art? The main subject of my artistic research is people’s life. Their fears, their dreams, the need they have to communicate to the whole world. The chaos surrounding them is pure beauty. My motto is “now”, and it’s also the title of my next video project. I’m planning a journey all over the world to ask people of different backgrounds what they would do if it was the last instant of their life. What were your last projects? What is your next project ? I just finished a big project my city commissioned me to do for the 150 anniversary of Italy. It’s called You At The Mirror and it’s made out of a mixed media installation about life and dreams. I also made an important art installation for the science museum, named Crash. It was based on car accidents and their aesthetics, and it was inspired by Cronenberg. 3 years ago I made a photo exhibition during Torino Film Festival, inspired and dedicated to Roman Polanski’s work. He was in town, someone told him about it and he liked it, so we met. After that I saw him again in Paris one year later and he told me about a retrospective on his work at Centre Pompidou. He asked me to show my work there. Right after that, sadly, he went through a lot of inconveniences so we kind of lost contact. I’m going to meet him again soon to see how we can go on. I like his aesthetics, his tension, his intensity... The fact that he talks about the human soul and the most secret things.

What’s 8SK8? 8sk8 is a door made of iron. The bottom part represents its shadow, and comes from the hate and the conflict between the skateboarding world and the city that often pushes it away. I wanted DC to offer to the skate community one object aesthetically beautiful, capable of furnishing every piazza, but also simple and useful. It can be used by normal people and by skaters too. The glass ramp is useful to take spectacular pictures from above. On the top part there’s a latin inscription that means “with sun and iron wheels spin”. www.raoulgilioli.com

Sofia Nebiolo Sofia Nebiolo is an american journalist, photographer and traveller. Raised in New York, now established in Paris, she recently shot our spring 2012 lookbook in Milan. What’s your background?

What’s your next project?

Born in New York, I’ve always been a purveyor of visual pleasure. Four years ago I moved to Paris to attend university and never left.

I recently worked on a photo shoot for The New Order ,a magazine based in New Zealand. We worked with Junya Wantanabe Spring Summer 2012 line and local Parisian youth to capture an ordinary Sunday strolling in the Marais. I have also been collaborating on the idea of turning my travel photographs into silk scarves.

What are your main subjects in photography? I love capturing the nature that exists all around us. I enjoy incorporating the ordinary with the unordinary and watching how this plays out. I love to travel and this has really taken a major influence on my work. I love exploring new cultures and then sharing that with people. I hope to inspire people with the places I have been.

Describe a typical day for you. I am not fully awake until I have a cup of black coffee. I will graduate university in May, so my days are split between school commitments, work commitments and of course the little pleasures. I like to take a jog through the Place des Vosges to clear my head.

How would you describe your style? What are your favorite aspects of your city? I like to work with film. I find it really organic and true. I am self-taught, for the most part and I am always experimenting with new ways to express myself on film.

I enjoy Paris for its timeliness. It is unwavering in attitude toward change. Whereas the aspect of New York I like best is its fast paced decision to be something else. Going between these cities I am able to get everything I need.

What’s your last project? My last project was for the magazine LURVE. I photographed the captivating island Naoshima in the South of Japan. This island, once merely a fisherman’s haven now stands homage to contemporary art. The transformation began as a vision to harmonize architecture, nature and art. Meandering through contemporary art installations by Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell, one regains what often is lost in the modernization and urbanization of society.

Describe your city in 3 words. Paris : sugar, tobacco, random angled New York : yellow, 24 hour, bridges sofianebiolo.tumblr.com

Charlie Shazer - Kids Love Ink Charlie Shazer is a tattoo artist and tattoo shop owner. He will be the host of the next Burning Ink exhibition in London, in his tattoo shop Kids Love Ink, from March 13th to March 31st. My then apprentice started alongside me there also, we got a little stir crazy being downstairs all day. Marcus opened his own studio Kids Love Ink Deptford and I went to ink at Tattoo Seen in the Bronx, NYC. Awesome times. Then back to london to get involved in getting my own place... Few ups and downs, situations changing, but all roads led to where I am now. 6 months ago, I opened my first studio in East London, just off Brick Lane. All happened pretty quickly really, got a good crew with myself, Josh Sutterby inking full time now, and my apprentice Raph Cemo. Both with graf backgrounds too, also good artists… Has to be. No half assed shit.

What’s your background? I have drawn my whole life… I think it’s the only thing I was ever any good at. I quickly dropped out of college, getting bored and being stuck into the graffiti world. I probably dedicated more years than I should to it, doing everything involved, having fun times with my crew. Eventually that phase ended at some point. I screwed about for a while, managed to scrape some freelance illustration and painting commissions now and then. I got back to the long forgotten idea of tattooing, got my first one 25 years ago. It was a small spray can, scratched on my shoulder blade in a nasty tattoo shop in the old part of Oslo, Norway. Many years later I hooked up with Per Kristian (Horisize) who I started getting proper work from. Also my good friend Jason Saga (r.i.p) had started tattooing, he kicked my slow ass into gear, and I started to learn how to tattoo as well at this point. Me and Jay used to ink friends in his bedroom for a couple of years until we got work in proper studios. We both worked at Fine Line Tattoo in Islington. It’s long gone now, it was an old school street shop… It gave us a good grassroots upbringing, balanced that out with working at Per Kristian’s custom studio in Oslo as often as I could. Both places meant a lot to me... I eventually started inking in Soho, here in London, in a small basement at an existing piercing studio there. I worked hard, 5 years of it...

What’s your occupation? My occupation has now changed from artist / tattooist, to shop owner and boss! It’s not something I would have really considered, but it comes with the territory. I gotta do it right, it’s not just me to look after now. Please describe a typical day at the tattoo shop. It’s still early days at the studio, so its fairly relaxed starts to each day, keep the place ordered. It’s a small but flexible work space, so no clutter or confusion. There are always some drawing to be doing, and of course dealing with whatever comes our way…

Helping the guys get into the groove of daily operations... Making sure I’m not slacking on anything seems to be a big part of each day. then of course, inking good people, which is why we do this. I love it. Most evenings Raph is inking friends, so I help him with that, which in turn makes me think about my tattooing. All in all long days but great ones. Then home to my missy, and relax... Where do your influences come from? I’m influenced by an increasingly broadening range of artists/inkers/visuals. I mostly need some blood, sweat and tears involved... Stuff that makes you think ‘’fuuuck!!”. I have become friends with some people who inspired/impressed me, which in itself is majorly inspirational. What jobs and work did you do before tattoo? I always tried (lazily) to earn some money from drawing/painting... In between I worked badly in retail for a while. I had many good times having a part time job at Mr Bongo Records in Soho. I did not have a record collection, not one piece of vinyl. I learnt a lot though, it was great… Big ups BONGO crew! What are your favorite aspects about London? I have a big love / hate relationship with London... I have always had. It’s where I’m from, but I always had the hardest time workwise, I guess because I was in the move so much. I seem to have cracked it now, with the new studio and all. So now is the time to push hard. London is on the up, it seems to be in a good place, where so much creativity / shit is happening. The London tattoo scene is on the up too, and we want to be a part of that. Holding our own, doing what we do best for everybody. These are exciting times. The right time it seems. We had some ups and downs already in the last 6 months, but there will be way more of that to come. It makes us a stronger unit. I’m glad to be part of a city that is a very cosmopolitan mix of all kinds of folks. Thank fuck for that. Describe your city in 3 words.Why? DEAL WITH IT. I use this term a lot. I tattooed it on myself few years back. I use it to describe London because, as I said, it has always given me the hardest time workwise, and now I have a shop and crew, in that city. So I will have to ‘deal with it’, no-one else will. Aint gonna not make this work. Portrait by Victor Vautier Kids Love Ink, 14 Cheshire St, E2 London

Joshua Hughes-Games Josh is a Bristol based rock singer, member of the band The Hit Ups. He modeled for our spring 2012 shoot taking place in his home city, with his lovely girlfriend Charlotte. The Hit Ups will be in Paris for a very energetic gig in a few months. grabbing punk imagery. I get so nerdy over typography and paper stock that the other guys get pissed at me. But I just think it’s too important! I’ve been lucky enough to get to design for some amazing bands and recently designed and printed a poster for Queens of the Stone Age which was great. I’ve also done work for Municipal Watse, Sick of it All and a few more.

What’s your background? My family traveled a lot when I was younger and I had the luck to visit some amazing places. I’ve lived in bristol a good proportion of my life though. My full name is Joshua Morrison Hughes-Games, my father named me after Jim Morrison. Both of my parents are inspiring and highly driven people and I took a strong work ethic from both. I also took on a love for cooking and visual arts from both sides. Music always played a large part in my upbringing and my close and extended family have always involved themselves closely with playing and performance.

Describe a typical day for you. I have a bit of an all over the place routine but I normally get up at 8 and sort out my stuff for uni or whatever I have to design or print that day. I try to sleep longer if we have shows though! Then depending on what day it is I’ll either go to uni, the studio or start work from home. I’ll see friends over lunch and early afternoon. I’m a massive food nerd so i’ll probably cook something if we’re at mine or try and go out somewhere good to eat if we’re out. Then more work, and then either head to a show if we have one or i’ll meet the band at our rehearsal space and sort stuff out. Shows kind of break the routine as we will normally stay in the city. We play in and go out after the show. But if we’re not playing I’ll head home and read for a while. I’ve got an obsession with editorial design in men’s fashion magazines! Then design until about 2 or 3 and work on personal projects then go to bed!

What’s your occupation? I like to think that firstly I’m a musician. I’m lead vocals for the band The Hit Ups and that has really always been my foremost passion. I guess the music we make is a brand of dance punk, it’s a mixture of loud guitar music crossed with dance synths and heavy drums! We formed in a scene built largely on house parties and so developed our style into something that would always make things explode. We want people to dance, scream and sweat so we’ve tried to stick to that ethos. We’ve been recording tons recently and we’re releasing our EP ‘Whordes’ in March 2012 with new videos and a new line of merchandise and hopefully a tour that might stretch into Europe. The first single ‘You’re Dead! Let’s Disco!’ was released on Friday 13th of January. So I guess thats where I’m heading in the future. I’ve torn muscles, chipped teeth, taken a face full of glass and been crowd surfed straight into a pole but nothing can really compare. It’s a strange kind of release to be able to go insane in front of a crowd. It’s a separation from your regular self, a process of exploring ideas and emotions outside of my head and it provides an indescridable form of freedom. I’m also currently studying Graphic Design and working as a screen print technician for ‘Jacknife’ custom screen prints in Bristol. Design has alway run parallel to music for me and I find it a natural progression of being part of that scene. As a band we need merchandise and promotional design so why relinquish control over such a vital element of our image? So much band promotion is weak as fuck, so I love working for Jacknife because their ethos is purely based around bold attention

What are your favorite aspects of your city? I’ve got a couple of favorite haunts in Bristol. I co-run the ‘Barrymores Pool Party’ club night at Bristol’s best underground music venue The Croft which has incredible new bands playing pretty much every night, so I spend a lot of time there. The screen printing studio I work for is above the venue so it works out well for me. There’s also music venues and bars like The Mothers’ Ruin and Start The Bus that are putting on some amazing new talent and running mad club nights. Also as I said before, I’m a huge food fanatic and Bristol has an amazing variety so we spend as much time as we can exploring that side of the city. www.thehitups.co.uk

Paul Whitfield Paul Whitfield was our photographer in Bristol. He is another local character, who knows all about his city. He works between Bristol and London, mainly on fashion editorials. What’s your background?

What’s your next project?

I would say my background is divided between fine art, boxing and photography. After studying fine art, I found myself working in the commercial world of photography. And since then, I have always carried on shooting and working on my own projects. I found myself naturally gravitating towards fashion.

I have a shooting in an ice rink with a new stylist I’m working with, Marin German. It will be an ice skating editorial, it’s pretty exciting. With the same stylist, we’re about to shoot a band rehearsal. I want to shoot this in a very energetic raw style, with lots of open flash heads popping to give harsh shadows, to add dimension. Another project I have is to find an agent, it would make a lot of my organization much easier.

What are your main subject in photography?

Describe a typical day for you.

After all these years, I have to say fashion is the main subject I deal with. I managed to make the transition to this very special world as a natural move. All aspects of my career have given me a good background and a platform to go into this world, and a fresh view of the world and arts. I am enjoying all the aspects to editorial shooting. First of all, the designer clothes of course, but also the talent of mixing them, the work of a hair stylist, a make up artist, and by the end, the talent of a model as well. All these elements mixed together, all the talents from these people involved in just one photoshoot, creates a unique piece of art to me. There is a lot of effort that goes into a shoot that no one sees. It’s hard work, but enjoyable work.

Waking up and having a Ben 10 (Ben 10 is a manga inspired cartoon). I battle with my 3 year old son. I have some coffee, head to the studio, start planing shoots. My day is often organized around lots of phone calls! I often drive up and back to London as well. I try to network as much as I can, wether it is in person or through the internet. I research stylists, designers, other photographers I could work with… Then later in the day, I go to the gym, I’ve been training since I was 11, and I have to say that a lot of work is done in my head while I train. More phone calls, more coffee. Retouching photos here and there. Picking up prints. Emailing… The everyday life of a photographer!

How would you describe your style?

What are your favorite aspects of your city?

I come from fine art, I starting abstract painting. But I am not a hardline technique photographer. If an image is over or under exposed, if it is burnt, has high lights, has blurred movements…. It won’t necessarily matter to me. If it work, it works! And sometimes, what you don’t see is more important.

Bristol is a very diverse mix of talents, on many different levels. From the old Bristolion characters of yester year, the rich boxing history and all the old traditions… To new school talents of music, graffiti and art in general. I am very proud of the city and its people. It’s a melting pot of different backgrounds. And I believe that where Bristol is in the country also has an influence of its people. It’s on the way to so many places. People pass through and never leave. And with such a melting pot, if you shake it, only good things will come out!

What’s your last project? My last project was a fashion story for the cine issue of Supplementary Magazine, called “Welcome to the jungle”. It was a very voyeuristic themed sex tape inspired shoot. I work with a great team on it, at the Gore Hotel in London. Thank you again MarieClaude Lamb, stylist, Sandra Bermingham, make up artist, and Sheirdan Ward, hair stylist.

Describe your city in 3 words.Why? Cool, talented and “BRISTLEMASSIFF” (a local shout to our city!).

BRISTOL starring

Joshua Hughes-Games thehitups.tumblr.com and

Charlotte Baker Photographed by

Paul Whitfield paulwhitfieldphotography.com

Charlotte is wearing a Thug Life tank, Slack Boyfriend jeans and Bristol shoes. Josh is wearing a Wedge shirt and Skinny Fit jeans.

Josh is wearing a Skull Daze tee. Charlotte is wearing a Stonehedge hoodie.

Josh is wearing a Skull Daze tee, Skinny Fit jeans and Studio shoes.

Josh is wearing a Mac Hesher tee, Skinny Fit jeans and Studio Mid shoes. Charlotte is wearing a Stonehedge tee, Straight Rdu jeans and Bristol shoes.

Charlotte is wearing a Highland dress.

Charlotte is wearing a Highland dress and Studio shoes. Josh is wearing a Mac Hesher tee, Skinny Fit jeans and Studio Mid shoes.

Josh is wearing an Artillery jacket and a Born To Shred tee.

MILAN starring

Walter Giordano cargocollective.com/waltergiordano and

Rossella Romano Photographed by

Sofia Nebiolo sofianebiolo.tumblr.com

Rossella is wearing a Nath top. Walter is wearing a Skate Star tee and Straight jeans.

Walter is wearing a Skate Star tee. Rossella is wearing a Highland dress.

Rossella is wearing a Manny top, Slacker Denim shorts and Bristol LE shoes.

Rossella is wearing a Manny dress and Georgina shoes. Walter is wearing a Nomad shirt and Relax Fit jeans.

Walter is wearing a Nomad shirt, Relax Fit jeans and Studio shoes.

Walter is wearing a Convoy tee, Deadlock shorts and Studio Mid LE shoes. Rossella is wearing a Manny top, Slacker Denim shorts and Bristol LE shoes.

BARCELONA starring

Chino Cob theitchynscratchyshow.tumblr.com and

Issa Soudieux Photographed by

Coke Bartrina cokebartrina.com

Issa is wearing a Stonehedge tee and Straight Rdu jeans. Chino is wearing a Blinding Lights tee and Deadlock shorts.

Chino is wearing a Skate Star tee, Deadlock shorts and Studio shoes. Issa is wearing a Blood In Fashion tee, Obispo shorts, a Backup bag and Bristol shoes.

Chino is wearing Deadlock shorts and Studio shoes. Issa is wearing a Locator tee, Straight Rdu jeans and Bristol shoes.

Issa is wearing a Locator tee and Straight Rdu jeans.

Issa is wearing a Bllod In Fashion tee, Obispo shorts and Georgina shoes. Chino is wearing a Subway Route tee, Deadlock shorts and Boost TX shoes.

Chino is wearing Deadlock shorts and Boost TX shoes. Issa is wearing a Blood In Fashion tee, Obispo shorts, a Backup bag and Bristol shoes.

Chino is wearing a Subway Route tee, Deadlock shorts and an Asbestos cap.

Coke Bartrina Coke shot the Barcelona chapter of our spring 2012 photoshoot. He is a young fashion photographer working in Spain and all around Europe. He will most definitely be involved with The HUB in the future. Keep posted! What’s your background?

What’s your next project?

In the last years I’ve been shooting for different brands and projects… Such as Apartamento magazine, Hercules magazine, Nylon,Vice magazine, Urban Outfitters, Rivista Studio and The Plant Journal besides others… Lately, I’ve been working on some very interesting reportage projects. I’m also co-founder and coeditor of Fuego fanzine in Spain. What are your main subject in photography?

I just started getting a tighter relationship with my great aunt. She is a painter who had a really interesting life, so I enjoy spending time with her. I want to take some pictures of her while working and ask her to paint a portrait of myself. So we can share some good conversation and I get to know more about her and my family. Describe a typical day for you.

I like to shoot my everyday life environment and portraits. I try to take out the best particular moments that happen in my life. I believe that life has very beautiful moments that are meant to be explained and photographed. The main subject in my pictures could be anything or anybody that surprised or amused me. How would you describe your style?

Since I work as a freelance I don’t really have schedules. My days always begin with a coffee and a shower, what goes next depends on the day. If I’m shooting, I prepare the equipment and move to location. Every shooting is a new experience which is something I really like. If I’m not shooting I do some errands, some post-production, see my friends, cook, read, go for a drink, watch some movies... What are your favorite aspects of your city?

Natural and real. I usually prefer shooting with natural light or straight flash in moments of darkness. When I take a picture, I try to bring the moment I captured back to life. I want people who take a look at my work to live the moment I lived. What’s your last project?

The weather in Barcelona is one of my favorite things. The food is really nice too. Since I was born here, I consider the sea as something very important in my life and also the mountains we have as a background. It’s also a city with very talented people. Some of my favorite magazines are based here and it is a pleasure to work more and more with them. Describe your city in 3 words.Why?

My last project was a reportage I shot in Valencia, Spain, in a fine porcelain figures factory. A well known spanish industrial designer did some work with this factory on a special edition piece. Surface magazine wanted to feature it and I went there to take some pictures of the process and some portraits of the people producing this porcelain. I had to drive there from Barcelona with my friend Adrià who came to help me. What I found there amazed me. There were hundreds of women painting the figures by hand. Old school style!

Simple, eclectic and historical. www.cokebartrina.com

Gaston Francisco Gaston Francisco is another photographer based in Barcelona. Together with his flatmate Ruben Sanchez, Gaston will be exhibiting his work at The HUB later this spring. What’s your background?

Barcelona sometime at the end of this year.

I was born in 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I lived for 23 years. I studied journalism and started contributing to skateboard magazines 16 years ago. In photography, I was self taught. As a teenage rebel, I believed that photography was an art form and as such, I did not want to learn from a school or a particular teacher because I believed that I ran the risk of only learning “their style”. I thought I would be better off by learning on my own. I believed that getting a little bit of knowledge from all different people would benefit more my learning experience. At 23 I moved to Costa Rica where I started a skate magazine called “Flow”. After spending a year there I moved to Barcelona where I have now been a freelance photographer for 9 years. I also have some experience with “moving images”, I did a few short films and contributed to some skateboarding videos. Along the walk of life I have worked on all kinds of jobs, from boring government-office work to guinea-pig medical trials...

How would you describe your style when it comes to art?

What kind of art do you produce?

Wake up early. Take care of emails. Newspaper reading and coffee drinking. More emails. Go out to shoot photos - if the weather is good. Get back home and pack the bags to leave on a trip somewhere else.

I really have a hard time when it comes to boxing myself inside an art category. I like to believe that what I do is more about documenting rather than art. I remember that in school we would have never-ending discussions about the meaning of “art”. I do not think I could tell you right now what “art” is, and this is why i like to think of what i do as documentation. I will leave it up to the audience to name what I do in an art context or a documentary context. I have never really had a motto but I guess I live my life with a high interest for the respect of others, trying to understand and not to judge what is different to me. These are the same thoughts than the ones that made me pack my bags and go out to explore the world. Describe a typical day for you.

I shoot photos and record moving images. Mostly photography though. I skate and work as a skate photographer, so most of my work revolves around skateboarding, skateboarders, and things that happen on the streets. I’m also very inspired by my travels.

What are your favorite aspects about your city? I would definitely mention : the weather ; the cultural diversity ; pricing ; the beach ; the people ; the food ; the skate spots ; the photogenic places…

What is your last and next project? I had a solo exhibition last April in Bristol and participated in the last “Burning Ink” show in Berlin. My next projects are participating in this show and I am also preparing a big solo show in

Ruben Sanchez Ruben Sanchez is the art director of DC Shoes Spain latest skateboard project : DC The EMBASSY. He is also a visual artist based in Barcelona, working on paintings, installations and photography. My next projects are an exhibition together with my friend and flatmate Gaston Francisco in Paris, and trying to survive to the end of the world on 2012!

What’s your background? I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. At the age of 13 I was abducted by skateboard and graffiti culture. I dropped out of school at when I was 19 and did some crappy jobs like stock clerk and shit. My only purpose back then was to be able to buy spray paint and skate supplies. Then I started learning design and illustration by myself thanks to internet tutorials of design software back in the late 90’s. That’s why I started working on design studios and skateboard companies. I moved to Barcelona 10 years ago.

Describe a typical day for you. When I wake up the first thing I do is grab a coffee and update thedcembassy.com and its Facebook with new content and news. Some days, after that, I go to The DC Embassy to work from there and skate with friends. Some other days I stay in my studio at home working on some graphics for clothing, motion, etc… I try to paint as much as I can too, above all on weekends. I also try to ride my bike every day, with some cans and markers in my bag, looking for spots. At night, chilling with my girlfriend, having some beers with my homies or night missions...

What kind of art do you produce? I used to work with graffiti and illustration (both digital and traditional). I also like to work with wood and make my own screen prints. Sometimes I see art like a game and I like to play with colors and things, like the ak-47 crocodile I did for Louie Barletta’s pro model, or the installation I did for an exhibition in Madrid last september where I painted a huge face with two plasmas on the eyes. I don’t know if that’s art but that was pretty fun...

What are your favorite aspects about your city? The weather for sure! But Barcelona has plenty of other good things: architecture, beach, coffee, friends from all over the world living here, a good graffiti scene...

How would you describe your style when it comes to art?

Please explain your involvement in DC The EMBASSY in Barcelona.

I would call it “Mediterranean street life”, “Cubism wannabe” or something like that... My motto? Keep it illegal!

I work as art director of the project, trying to make things look good : graphic and motion design, logos, intros, previews, etc… We all work very close, we’re like a family. I used to edit the previews we post on weekends and sometimes I help editing some other video clips, even thought our video team already does that very well! We all do a lot of stuff! I also take care of the DC Embassy website and our Facebook page.

What was your last project? What is your next project? My last project was a solo show last month in Barcelona. I’m also part of a huge collective exhibition that is traveling all around the world called Grafika, with 30 young spanish artists related to skateboard and graffiti culture.

www.thedcembassy.com

Eric Mirbach Eric is a german photographer, but also a real globetrotter. At the moment, he is an official photographer for the magazine Monster. He is working on a special project with us at The HUB for 2013. I’ll be doing the photography for TPDG Supply Co. and it’s going to be pretty exciting. Besides that, I’m working with a friend on a book of photographs we shot during a two-months-stay in Brooklyn, New York. We’re aiming to publish it at the end of the year and do an exhibition-tour afterwards.

What’s your background? I grew up in a little city in the western part of Germany. I got into photography thanks to skateboarding. Actually, I picked up a camera when I finally gave in to the fact that all my friends were way better at skateboarding than I was. So I started photographing them, first and foremost to have a reason to stick around. Later, I majored photography at University of Applied Sciences and Art in Dortmund, Germany. Meanwhile, I worked as a freelancer for a variety of skateboard-related magazines, one of them being Monster Skateboard Magazine, for which I turned staff-photographer and editor a couple years ago.

Describe a typical day for you. Hard to say with all the stuff that are going on in my life right now. It’s not that I could follow a daily routine, really. Things have to be taken care of when they are due, which most of the time means: right now. So, I try and get into the flow, have a healthy breakfast, get some computer-stuff out of the way in order to make some room to be able to be creative, be inspired. Inspiration is diverse: photo-books, magazines and music are my weapons of choice, but sometimes a youtube clip, a new post in a friends weblog or a facebook link might do the trick. Or just outside somewhere, collecting material. It really depends!

What kind of art do you produce? I produce photographs. Taking photos is my main outlet. I love the idea of being able to just take a split-second out of someone else‘s (or out of my own) life and capture it on film forever. It’s magical - and it’s brutal at the same time. Pretty fascinating stuff.

What are your favorite aspects about your city? How would you describe your style when it comes to art? I learned the technical side of things - flashes, freezing action, high-x-syncs, the whole shebang… I learned the craftsmanship side of things - positive lab, development, fully manual film cameras. Having all of this under my belt now, I mainly try and free myself of all of this, to ignore the “knowledge” and all the do’s and dont’s and just go and take a picture. Freezing time, as I said before, has a certain magic quality. People tend to forget about that, with all the tech-specs and new gear coming out. A certain air of ignorance, a slight liking for wrongness and errors can enhance one’s body of work immensely.

I very recently moved, since my girlfriend started university. Therefore, I don’t know much about this new city of mine, Bonn. Yet. All I know is that it’s quiet, it’s peaceful and that I have more than enough space to get to work. I had to acknowledge that a quiet environment helps a lot to wrap my head around the projects I have in mind. When I lived in bigger cities, I rarely found a moment for myself, to calm down. Big city life turns out to be too overwhelming to keep me sane. It’s a good thing to start over new - to get to know a new neighborhood and to have to find your way around. It keeps you on your toes. I enjoy these times a lot.

What are your last and next projects?

Please tell us about your relationship with DC Shoes.

I did a book called Incidentals about the quiet moments in skateboarding. It’s about skateboarders more than about skateboarding, there is not a single trick in there. I have been on a lot of tours working for Monster Magazine and I used these opportunities to produce some more photographs along the way - some of the stuff that happened before or after the banger -trick, all the things that rarely makes it into a magazine… And all this is in this book! This also was my final thesis for university and I exhibited this all over Germany. Right now, I’m in the middle of launching a clothing company with two friends, concentrating on pants & denim.

I’ve been on tour with the german chapter of DC Shoes a lot. We’ve been to Miami, San Sebastian, New York, all over Germany. I shot german team riders Stephan Günther and Fabian Lang for Monster. DC also sponsored “Incidentals” and therefore helped a lot in realizing the project. It feels to me as if The HUB is a chance to work with DC on a whole new level now. I really appreciate the effort of connecting with the artistic side of things and I can’t wait to see where you guys will take this. A big thank you for letting me be a part of The HUB. Psyched! www.ericmirbach.com

Walter Giordano Walter is a Milan based artist, art director and graphic designer. He was the model for the photoshoot we did in Milan this season. He mainly works on photographs and installations when it comes to art. What’s your background? I come from Potenza, a little city in the south of italy. Because of job opportunities, I now live in Milan where i studied Art Direction. I also studied also in Siena Economy University for 3 years. My parents influenced me a lot. My father is an amateur astronomer and he has been screen printing for 30 years. My mother is a teacher. Both of my parents studied Classic Art. What’s your occupation? I’m now an art director in a multinational communication company. Before that, I used to work as a graphic designer, and it’s something I kept doing still nowadays. When I was in Siena for my economy studies, I worked in a banking division. I don’t want know what i’ll be doing in the future. I just know that I’d like to do whatever I’ll do very well! My current goals are to go as soon as possible to Japan, India and South Africa. Describe a typical day for you. All day, from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, I need to be surrounded by music. I sometimes think that I live my days as an opportunity to listen to my favorite songs! When I go out, I try to focus on finding good wine, good food, good drinks, good music, and unusual faces... What are your favorite aspects of your city? My home city Potenza, meaning “power”, I have my family, my old friends, and the walls and trains I used to paint when I was a kid. To me, a very important aspect of Potenza is the food! I can’t really explain it, I invite you all to come and try it! And I think Milan represents pretty well what Italy is like… Didn’t you read about the social, economic and political situation lately? Describe your city in 3 words.Why? I like the city of Milan. I would say it is : fast, full and art-ificial. www.waltergiordano.com

Burning Ink Erwan Lameignère & Emmanuel Labadie Erwan and Emmanuel are the two brains behind the Burning Ink concept, a travelling exhibition mixing art and tattoo. Erwan is the editor-in-chief of french lifestyle magazine Redux. Emmanuel is the Streetwear Category Marketing Manager at DC Shoes Europe. I also invited Rostarr from Brooklyn, Funkfu from Czech Republic, Chloé Trujillo from L.A. And for the next editions - in London and Madrid - the british artist Marke Newton and french illustrator Timothée Talard are joining the crew!

What is your background? Erwan : I was born in Paris, and I grew up in Biarritz in South West of France since I was 12. My father was working in advertising and my mother is an art historian. I worked in many magazines (such as Ride On, Blast...) as a movie / comics / music critic. I directed two short films and several commercials. I wrote a book about spanish cinema in 2003. I founded Redux, a magazine about graphic design and arts in 2002. I created and curated Forw>d, a graphic design group art show supported by DC Shoes in Paris and New York in 2009. Emmanuel : I was born in Bayonne, in South West of France as well. I studied marketing in Paris. I worked in paris for 8 years and then, integrated Quiksilver Group in 1994 in the marketing department. I moved to DC Shoes as a media and streetwear category manager in 2008.

Emmanuel : It is very important to integrate artists that already collaborated with the brand. This is why after meeting Russ in New York for the Forw>rd exhibition where DC was a partner, that I contacted him and presented him the Burning Ink concept. He liked it and decided to be part of the adventure. Same story with SBTG. We exchanged a lot of emails about it and shared thoughts and ideas considering the different initiatives. I believe that Mark Ong (SBTG) brought a lot in the evolution to the Burning Ink concept . It is also important to get real tattooers such as Jeff and Kostek from La Boucherie Moderne, with their very own special style. Credibility and legitimacy are essential in this world.

What are your main hobbies?

How did the 3 first exhibitions go, in Paris, New York and Berlin?

Erwan : Surfing.

Erwan : In Paris, 2 designs were inked by the end. Koralie’s drawing on a buyer’s skin, and Supakitch’s on his own skin. In New York, Spoe’s design ended up on Andri Williams’ skin, one of the fine blades working in Frank Chop Shop, hosting the show. And in Berlin, Jeff from La Boucherie Moderne, got his drawing inked on Jim fro Pulp 68, Geneva’s most famous skateshop. I’m very curious to see what will happen in London and Madrid!

Emmanuel : Surfing and motorbikes. What is the concept behind Burning Ink? Erwan : The concept is as radical and unique as before : all the handmade drawings designed by selected artists are burnt at the end of the show. A very different concept to an ordinary art show, no one can go home with the art in its hands ! The only way for the drawings to survive the flames is to be bought and inked into the buyers’ skin, making each design a unique tattoo. This concept is very appreciated by public and artists too. It create original and unique moments such as the Burning ceremony that ends the show.

What are the next steps for Burning Ink? Emmanuel : In March , we will be organizing the 4th edition of Burning Ink in East London. The event will be organized in partnership with local tattoo shop Kids Love Ink, managed by the very talented Charlie Shazer. The exhibition will be launched in the Beach Gallery, a few steps away from Charlie’s spot. It’s once again a big excitement for me to see a new edition of the Burning Ink project. After London, Madrid will host the 5th edition in September 2012. Our main idea is to go on organizing Burning Ink art shows in different countries and make the concept evolve, keeping the initial values linked to urban and skate philosophy. Product wise, we will present a limited pair of Burning Ink shoes for the Holiday collection, and two tee-shirts with Prunelle and Spoe artworks. The shoe will integrate a drawing created by Jey from Bleu Noir Gallery . Other projects are on their way and will be very soon presented.

How were the artists chosen for Burning Ink exhibitions? Erwan : I chose the artists for their performance on handmade drawings, according to a post-graffiti style or a comic style. That’s how we got people such as 123klan, Jerk45, Koralie, Supakitch... Some of them were already involved in the graphic design show Forw>rd I curated before. Other artists such as Jey who hosted the first Burning Ink in his tatoo parloir / gallery Bleu Noir in Paris. Jey also designed the logo of the show. Some DC advocates such as Russ and SBTG came to the New York and Berlin shows. Nash should join the London show. Russ suggested me the very creative mexican artist Xghetto666.

www.reduxmag.com

presents

March 13 to 31 th

Kids Love Ink custom tattooing b e a c h g a l l e r y 20-14 CHESHIRE ST. (OFF BRICK LANE) London with

exhibition @

a l l the designs will be burned after the show facebook.com /dcshoes.europe - my.dclife.com - charlies h a z e r . b l o g s p o t . c o m