Skateboarding has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the California hills. What started as a fringe sport for surfers looking to practice their moves on concrete has now become an Olympic event and a global phenomenon found on urban streets everywhere. The commercialization of skateboarding has turned it into a booming industry, and a new exhibition in London aims to showcase its evolution.
The Design Museum will host an exhibition in the autumn that traces the history of skateboarding from the homemade boards of the 1950s to the high-tech professional models of today. The exhibition will feature approximately 90 rare and unique skateboards, as well as over 100 other objects such as wheels, trucks, safety equipment, VHS tapes, DVDs, magazines, and ephemera. Half of the skateboards will be on loan from the Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum in California.
One of the highlights of the exhibition will be a 1967 skateboard produced by British company Bilbo, believed to be one of the earliest commercial boards sold under a British name. Visitors will also get to see Tony Hawk’s first professional model from 1982, designed for vert skateboarding, as well as early homemade boards from 1950s California inspired by roller skates, scooters, and surfboards. The exhibition will also include pro models from renowned skaters like Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, and Mark Gonzales, as well as the first women’s pro model from the 1970s.
According to Tim Marlow, the CEO of the Design Museum, skateboards are often misunderstood as toys, but they are actually technically sophisticated products that adapt to changing urban environments. The exhibition aims to tell the story of design, performance, and communities evolving together.
The curator of the show, Jonathan Olivares, asks a central question: how did skateboards develop into what they are today? The show takes visitors on a journey through time, design, and space, showcasing skateboarding as a truly unique object. The exhibition will open on October 20, 2023, and run until June 2, 2024.
By exploring the fascinating history of skateboarding, from its origins to its current state, the exhibition at the Design Museum offers an opportunity to appreciate the artistic, cultural, and technological advancements that have shaped this popular sport.
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