CONS at London's Design Museum
10/30/2023
Recently in London, I found myself heading off to another skate event, however, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill video premiere. It was held at the city’s prestigious Design Museum. Their latest exhibition is a companion to Jonathan Olivares' book Skateboard published by Phaidon, which spans from the 1950s to the present day, documenting the birth and evolution of the titular wooden toy. They covered everything from the first boards and videos right up to the modern day plank we all know and love—plus a few quirky, forgotten side quests in between. Along with the collection there was also a miniramp installed by Betongpark, which will stay in the museum and be skateable until June, a much needed relief spot for the London locals over winter. Converse sponsored the show and brought a selection of its team down to bask in the history and break in the ramp. —James Griffiths
Louie Lopez kicking things off on the ramp, back Smith
Raney Beres somehow found the speed to get to the top. Backside boneless
Alexis Sablone was happy to spectate
Louie was stoked
Gavin, backside nosebluntslide for the crowd
Calm before the storm
Louie checking out the exhibition
CONS team gets a look at Buddy's video for the show
A couple of issues of Thrasher made an appearance
Wunderkind Diggs English and his whole family in attendance
Museum curators welcome everyone with a speech
Not your average skate venue
Helena Long, Mickey Patrick and Kevin Firth
It got busy fast. Let's look at some of the artifacts
Early graphics from Natas and the Gonzfather
Hangers before the pinch was invented
And the time before razor tail
We've all heard the stories of steel wheels. Good to know they weren't just myths
The history isn't complete without some riser pads
We now return to the Classics
Kevin Parrot and Flip's Ian Deacon shocked at those rails
The man himself, Leo Sharp
The crowds catch a glimpse of the ramp jam
All walks of life were spotted enjoying the plank
Nick Halkias linked up with Wes Morgan
Dan Mathieson came through
Tom Snape was stoked
Cross-generation education from The Skateboard Hall of Fame's Todd Huber, who also helped put the show together
Apparently this really got skated
Todd confirms it
Alexis and Raney taking it in
The mechanics were still puzzling
A sample of fisheyes through the ages
Wes Morgan and Nick Sharratt of Palomino for sure nerded out
Essential viewing
Essential reading
Dan Magee with his pride and joy
UK photo lord Wig Worland made it over
Josh Gislingham too
Betongpark team and the fruits of its labor
This event wouldn't be possible without the man of the hour, curator and designer Jonathan Olivares
And that’s a wrap! Off to the pub
Louie Lopez kicking things off on the ramp, back Smith
Raney Beres somehow found the speed to get to the top. Backside boneless
Alexis Sablone was happy to spectate
Louie was stoked
Gavin, backside nosebluntslide for the crowd
Calm before the storm
Louie checking out the exhibition
CONS team gets a look at Buddy's video for the show
A couple of issues of Thrasher made an appearance
Wunderkind Diggs English and his whole family in attendance
Museum curators welcome everyone with a speech
Not your average skate venue
Helena Long, Mickey Patrick and Kevin Firth
It got busy fast. Let's look at some of the artifacts
Early graphics from Natas and the Gonzfather
Hangers before the pinch was invented
And the time before razor tail
We've all heard the stories of steel wheels. Good to know they weren't just myths
The history isn't complete without some riser pads
We now return to the Classics
Kevin Parrot and Flip's Ian Deacon shocked at those rails
The man himself, Leo Sharp
The crowds catch a glimpse of the ramp jam
All walks of life were spotted enjoying the plank
Nick Halkias linked up with Wes Morgan
Dan Mathieson came through
Tom Snape was stoked
Cross-generation education from The Skateboard Hall of Fame's Todd Huber, who also helped put the show together
Apparently this really got skated
Todd confirms it
Alexis and Raney taking it in
The mechanics were still puzzling
A sample of fisheyes through the ages
Wes Morgan and Nick Sharratt of Palomino for sure nerded out
Essential viewing
Essential reading
Dan Magee with his pride and joy
UK photo lord Wig Worland made it over
Josh Gislingham too
Betongpark team and the fruits of its labor
This event wouldn't be possible without the man of the hour, curator and designer Jonathan Olivares
And that’s a wrap! Off to the pub
-
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