Beautiful Losers
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BRIAN GIBBS |
This post is about a film coming out today that is worth watching. Last year I went to the exhibit at Yerba Buena with the same tiltle and loved it.
BEAUTIFUL LOSERS celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural moments of a generation
In the early 1990’s a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.
Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth.
The artists featured are now leaders in they’re respective fields. Two of them were big influences on me growing up. Ed Tempelton pro skater/artist’s/photographer and Shepard Fairey the man who started OBEY.
Beautiful losers is a perfect illustration of people considered outsiders and how they ended up shaping popular culture because they wanted to produce things that they were personally interested in. Carving out spaces for themselves.
Cant speak for everyone but i know what it feels like to be an outsider. Early on in my life i had the option to take over my Dads dental practice but I knew that i would not be happy and needed to do something else. Luckily my parents were supportive and understanding of me. As far as i can remember I have been in art school because my parents and teachers recgonized my talents and wanted me to further develop them whether I wanted to or not.
Looking back at myself growing up I always smile. I was a skinny curly haired black kid in art school with a protensity for creativity and a quick mind(tongue). On my free time during school I would go to the library to read the Reptile and Amphibian encyclopedia or go into the woods to observe and catch them while horrifying my mom with me bringing Lizards and Snakes home. She enrolled me in the JCC after school program for more studies and I would go home and listen to heavy metal/rock. In my teens while in art school I got into skateboarding and later on got into Ballet. Due to me having such varied interests people had a hard time understanding me because I was not able to be categorized or put into a box. Can you imagine me having to explain to my skating friends that I cant skate today because I have ballet class? I would always say that “its not that bad, and I get to hang around half naked women all day” to shut them up. Or I would say “maybe if you took ballet you might not suck.” (I was kinda a punk:P) I eventually had to give up skating because I decided to pursue dance but never gave up on any of my other interests. Interestingly enough in my dance training I never wanted to join a company much like me not wanting to take over my dad’s practice. I wanted to do my own thing but had no clue that was. 26 years later with a solid 16 years of schooling under my belt I am finally seeing my vision opening up for me. Not because it was handed to me either. I had learned all that I needed to for me to be able to do what I want with the tools that were given to me. Not letting go of my vision and staying true to myself other’s started to respect my work. “Weird” and “unique” quickly changed to “progressive” , “amazing” because of the pure honesty of myself and work and not trying to be anyone else.
Anywho, my point being is that you have to follow your own path and dreams to make it in this crazy mixed up world. No one can stop you from your dreams as long as you believe in yourself. If you dont who will?
Did i just get really deep just now:) Who cares. The film is worth checking out.
B
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