Santa Cruz sends a cease and desist order to Jim Phillips for unauthorized licensing of the screaming hand logo. Phillips claims he barely got paid and a bunch of guys on Skull and Bones mostly rally to his defense. In fact the hand drawing on the left is S&B user SkaterBonds‘ opinion letter to NHS. “Sit on it and twirl” indeed. Lot’s of people weigh in with their opinions including industry insiders and artists such as
This thread is at once what’s great and what sucks about skateboarding and the internet. 95% of the people talking are basing everything on hearsay or don’t know what they are talking about at all. One person mysteriously claims to have all kinds of insider information on why Novak is lying, but can’t reveal his own identity and feels the need to talk in a cryptic shaman-esque manner, which is ridiculous, like trying to argue with someone who is whispering in the shadows. The fact that Novak (if it is him) deigned to respond in person is no longer surprising, considering the bashing he was taking in a collector’s forum. These are his people, his bread and butter. It reminds me of the time George Powell made an appearance at Concrete Disciples to face claims made by bearing fanatic Rockin Ron. Jim Phillips may or may not have a case. The circumstances for him leaving Santa Cruz are always vaguely mentioned, in fact there are a couple of different histories presented in that thread. To complicate matters, his own son works for NHS and makes graphics in a similar style. Some have even theorized that it’s just publicity to sell More Phillips designed artwork for Pocket Pistols. Novak has definitely made some enemies in the industry. I think he even manages to get called a crook by someone in the Independent book. How that made it to print is anyone’s guess. Checkout the thread on Skull and Bones, there’s a lot of righteous B.S. in there, but there is also a few nuggets of skateboarding history in there. Definitely puts the annoy in Skate and Annoy! Thanks to JF in the previous post for the tip off.
6 comments
Dave Bonds
No problem, Kilwag. I just noticed the link.
I would agree that a lot of placements in the thread are here-say and maybe even a bit biased, but in speaking for myself, I have reasons for my opinion based on facts and not here-say. These are just opinions.
I find it redundant to explain that they are just opinions and are subjective. I don’t think that it’s obligatory to render a disclaimer and state that it’s just an opinion of the individual, but sometimes it is overlooked and really should be taken with a grain of salt.
I have been in contact with Jim regarding the situation. I don’t even know where to begin explaining the problems at NHS regarding art copyright plagiarism. It goes far deeper than the debate between Jim and Rich and further than most of you will ever know. I really don’t care to elaborate, but I will say that if the can of worms were fully opened and Novak’s point were argued against him, Richard would be in up to his eyelids in hypocrisy. In turn, coming from an ethical stance, I think his debate against Jim is very irrelevant in the bigger picture. The whole thing is a conundrum at best.
That’s not to say that I think two wrongs make a right. I don’t think that anyone should use produce copyrighted material without right, including Jim. I will show my support for Jim as an artist and the attitude projected in your above quote “Sit on it and twirl.” really should remark against the entire situation. Judging from what credible information I have seen, the whole thing is a truckload of hypocritical bullshit.
I have also talked to Jim, for whatever it’s worth, regarding the illustration that I did and he likes and approves of it on his own level of opinion.
My only advice to anyone reading this is that they should go directly to the sources for information if they express concern about something, regarding this or anything in the future. I’ve learned a lot from the information shown to me in regards to the graphic arts history at NHS and if I have gained anything from it, it would be the confidence in my own work. Not in my blatantly obvious parody work, per se, but the source of my original ideas coming from within.
I will respect the anonymity of the user claiming to know Jim in the thread and I personally believe everything that he has said to be true, regarding to what he knows about the situation between Jim and Richard.
I’m going to go outside and finish up a few paint jobs on some decks, maybe go hit up the record store and should the weather permit, maybe even skate some. If it’s nice outside and you can, go outside and hit the griptape.
“I rode a skateboard once.
It was wooden.
It had wheels.”
Kilwag
There’s no great skill involved in repurposing other people’s work! I didn’t create anything but a collage. The hand flipping the bird is is the work of a character named Skaterbonds on S&B
Estes
Kilwag- you have the best skill in creating graphic shots. Can I sign up for a class?
Mike Timble
If you read through some of the comments in that thread, it sounds like a bunch of gossiping, blue-haired, octenogarians in their knitting circle talking smack.
JF
I don’t think SC/NHS would have been as successful if it wasn’t for Jim Phillips. I bought and still buy SC decks because of Jim’s killer art. Same goes for VCJ and Powell.
JF
DaveV
it was Phillips’ brainchild.
NHS missed out on making a few bucks off some nostalgic collectors.
I dont know much about the situation but either way this is an example of the artist using a little something called creative control. I think some dude named Rembrandt did it too.
Pretty punk rock for Phillips to just go for it. fuck it.