We can debate the merits of culture if we want, but would this still be art if it was on a new school popsicle stick or a Chinese blank? No nosebone, no art? Would a lapper have made this a more complete piece? I don’t know. What is perfectly clear however, is that there is a designer named Hervé Matejewski who made this Toile de Jouy (Work of Joy?) skateboard and another gal named D, or Kristina or Lena who likes Hervé’s work. I can’t tell who the author is, the

This started out as a quick post about this guy who has been floating around the news wires as the Sole Man. He entered a Red Bull soap box derby dressed as a classic Vans checkered slip-on on top of a homemade oversized skateboard. But like all things concerned with the Interwebâ„¢, it’s not always that easy. There’s the obvious comparison to Tod Swank and Foundation’s super-sized Ripley’s Believe It or Not appearance, and at least two others. Pictures and videos after the jump.

I’ve seen pics of this park in a newspaper article that I thought we posted but I can’t find it now. These pics of the recently opened Granite Park in Sacramento CA come through the unknown courtesy of Thrasher Magazine and photog Schmitty. Definitely worth checking out the larger versions and additional pics. The park appears to be spread out all over the place with street track like elements as well. The most notable feature is the not quite full pipe. It’s not even a 3/4 pipe. The design is a good one, it has the over-vert elements of a full pipe while still being open air, and interesting to look at. I’m leaning towards a grade C execution of a grade A idea though. It looks like you can grind the top of over-vert sections, but the true feeling of riding a full pipe requires a higher wall. I think they should have made the side walls higher, or at least a section of them. What say you? Regardless, it looks like a heck of a park. Thanks to Troy Sliter for the link.

$1,092,000,(!) to be exact, and we need to thank them. The point is to make a few calls thanking the right people. Word is that a phone call carries more weight than an email. All you need to do is call and let the office know that you appreciate the money and effort being directed towards public skateparks in Portland, and they are doing a good job. The end result is that they will be more inclined to follow through with money for the rest of the system. Phone numbers, links and more after the jump.

Siriusly (har har) I can’t tell if this is a commercial for Jeep or Sirius Satellite Radio. The gist of it is if you buy some kind of Jeep they throw in the Sirius service for free. It’s a mildly amusing commercial. If anyone still needs it, it’s proof that skateboarding has been assimilated into popular culture. Watch the video and see it dissected after the jump.

Apparently there is an activity that adults enjoy but most people think of as a toy, fad, or a phase to grow out of. Sound familiar? Although they both spin and have axles, I’m talking about yo-yos, not skateboards. Who knew there was a crossover? (Wait, isn’t that a yo-yo trick too?) Yo-Yo Nation is offering these limited edition skateboard and t-shirt combos featuring artwork “..based around a trick invented or pushed to the next level by the artist himself.” More pics and an amazing Hail Mary Gratuitous Tony Hawk Appearance after the jump.

Up here in Portland we may not know much about New Zealand, but we do know they have pools. So it should come as no surprise that there are skate parks too. These pics are of a spot called Chafers Skate Park in Wellington, New Zealand. The top shot is from Wellington Daily Photo and the bottom two are from Zoom In which is the best way to explore New Zealand, right? It’s funny how you can look at a skate park just as you can look at a general view of any city and get a vague sense of where it is based on the architecture. It’s like when you are watching a movie or TV and you think “This looks like it was shot in Canada.” I don’t know where on the map I would have put these shots, but they don’t look like anything I’ve seen in North America, they are just a little peculiar. Remember, I’m strictly talking about the skate park architecture. In any case, it looks fun. Certainly a lot more fun than the old one. (Although the banks look promising from afar, via the Interwebâ„¢ ) Check out these two pages for links…

Someone requested more pictures of old dudes splashin’ in bowls. So here is Grover inverted while Gordo carves under him. Not the best of timing but better than nothing.

Continuing the theme of commercializing existing practices, Didi over at Modern Convenience makes a lot of objects, mostly upholstered, that appeal to the whimsical side of people who have too much money. Two items of interest to us are the Inside Skate and the Indoor Longboard. Didi’s are prettier, but Egbert’s version is guaranteed to be cheaper. And speaking of people who have too much money, that’s Bam in in the picture above. More pics, including a Gratuitous Tony Hawk appearance after the jump.

That’s right, and her name is Mz. Exclusive – WELCOME TO HOLLYWOODâ„¢ or possibly Bunny. Congratulations! Awesome! We’ve been waiting for you. Welcome to the world of skateboarding and good luck in college. I hear they have spelling and grammar checking on those computers. You might want to look into that. sooo i basically went skateboardin today even tho its like 30 degrees outside nd i LOVED IT!!so therefore i went out n got some DC shoes dats raw as hell just cuz dey on me lol.but chea i realize that i dont need to be hood to get ma muffuckin respect cuaz i already got enough rank in dese streets ya dig. Fuck da jordans nd da ones dat shit aint meant for everybody black person like me.i been in da hood fa 16 years of my life until i moved to lake county nd i know what bein hood is nd muffackus out here just aint it so y front when i can just be a prep like i SHOULD be. Dont get me wrong im STILL hood n i will still cut a bitch but there is no need to worry about wat da typical chi town…