"First Descent"
1999-12-03 until 2000-01-23
Walter Phillips Gallery
Banff, , CA Canada

First Descent is a group exhibition of work in all media by local and international snowboarders. Within snowboarding culture more than in any other sport, it is the creative talents of the participants that have shaped and motivated the style and look of the industry. This exhibition examines the role aesthetics plays in the athletics of the sport while probing the creation of culture with a behind-the-scenes look at the snowboarding industry.

The most widely known art production in snowboard culture is its photography. The work ranges from portraits to end-of-the-day shots by internationally known photographers from Canada and the US, such as Mark Gallup, Trevor Graves and Dano Pendygrasse and emerging photographers, Craig Douce and Mike McPhee, from Calgary.

It is often the art that is made by the riders themselves that end up on the base of the snowboards we buy. Tina Basich's paintings for her pro model boards as well as recent art commissioned for Morrow Snowboards by Caia Koopman and for K2 Snowboards by ames will be on exhibition. Dan Hudson and other snowboarders are showing works inspired by the time they spend travelling and riding.

The graphic design of the snowboarding industry will be represented by a glance into the process of creating and marketing boards and gear - the style and functionality of which has always been motivated by the riders themselves. Tom Sims' and Jake Burton’s original snowboards from the early days of the sport will be on display.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Canada

Other Important Exhibitions in Canada