In March 2012 the Element Europe team spent 10 days in Saragossa, Spain to film the riders’ last few tricks for their parts in Element’s latest AM Video “Future Nature”. Here we follow Nassim Guammaz on the last day of filming before the deadline for the project – the pressure’s on to get everything down on film…..

Future Nature is available on iTunes now

For more information about Future Nature check out the site here

On May 1st, FUTURE NATURE then released for free on the Element site for one day only. Over the next twenty-four hours, the video racked up hundreds of thousands of views.

Meanwhile, in iTunes, FUTURE NATURE climbed its way to the #20 spot in the Top Movies charts, and held a steady #1 spot in the Top Sports category.

So if you haven’t seen the video yet, go to iTunes to download a copy, or cruise over to your local shop for a DVD.

These one-of-a-kind boards ridden by Nick Garcia, Julian Davidson and Boo Johnson are available now. If you’re finger isn’t quick enough to swoop one of these, we’ve given a second life to plenty more, and they’re coming soon.

Element proudly presents FUTURE NATURE, now playing today only on elementskateboards.com, also available worldwide on iTunes.

FUTURE NATURE is a visual exploration of skateboarders in their natural environments. Around the world, two major species co-exist together. They are Amateurus and Professionalli, or better known as the amateur and professional skateboarder. FUTURE NATURE focuses on Amateurus, documenting the extravagant behaviors of Nick Garcia, Julian Davidson, Evan Smith, Boo Johnson and introducing Madars Apse, Trent McClung, and Nassim Guammaz.

The Element Emerald Collection is a premium quality men’s lifestyle line that incorporates environmentally friendlier materials. With every Emerald purchase at Fred Segal before May 20th you will receive a free tote bag, and will be entered to win one of three original art pieces by Thomas Campbell, Brian Gaberman or Danny Hess.

Front window

Karen Meere (Fred Segal) / Johnny Schillereff (Element Founder & President) / Ron Robinson

Emerald Collection on display

Evening enjoyed by all

Ray Barbee / Johnny Schillereff / Chad Muska

Custom glasses for the evening

Ray jamming

A portion of proceeds from all shoes and select skateboards benefit the Elemental Awareness Foundation. When you buy Element, you are helping make programs like this possible.

Etnies has released a full Nick Garcia part in support of the Freeport shoe. Enter to win the shoes along with an Element board and Stance socks here.

Also, check out this exclusive interview with Nick via Skateboarder Magazine which coincides with his Etnies part. Click here to see full interview.

When DC’s Chris Ray was asked to be one of the 13 filmers to submit a part for TransWorld SKATEboarding‘s latest film, The Cinematographer Project, he naturally gravitated towards Element am Evan Smith. With Evan’s effortless style and unique approach and Ray Ray’s mastery of the angles, editing and HD, Evan’s part excerpted from the full length DVD is your most recent glimpse to how talented of a skateboarder Evan Smith really is.

The Cinematographer Project full length DVD, with 13 parts submitted by skateboarding’s greatest filmers, is available now at http://www.skateboarding.com, your local skateshop, or for download on iTunes.

Twelve year old Element team rider Tom Schaar has landed the first ever 1080º. It has been amazing to watch Tom’s progression over the past. He first caught our eye when at 7yrs old when he entered the Element am contest series, and his special talent for transition was clear. While we were sure his career would blossom, the rate at which he progressed is alarming. From his quick adaption to vert and the mega ramp, to becoming the youngest ever to do a 900º, he continues to blow minds and set records. We congratulate Tom for his accomplishment, and can’t wait to see what he does next.

California RampWorks was strategic in helping Tom see this trick to its reality. Check out exclusive interviews and the feature built by CRW that helped make it all possible. See further documentation and photos here.

I work hard to provide a healthy, creative, and inspiring life and environment for my family, and I’m grateful to be able to share what I’ve learned and am learning everyday with you. As with any journey, failures and success’ are equally important and I’ve had my share of both. It’s all part of the fun.

The big project lately has been the construction of a new glass greenhouse made entirely of recycled windows from the local dump. The only new materials are some of the framing materials. In here, I’ll produce all my own vegetable starts, rotate meat rabbits through periodically to raise the ambient temperature on cold nights, rotate chickens through to help compost the rabbit droppings, grow more tender perennial plants (if only I could actually get an avocado tree to survive these frosts), and spend many a long rainy day propagating fruit trees and other plants that will slowly fill in my landscape. We started 4 years ago with a more or less barren plot of land and have been working tirelessly to transform it, using permaculture methods, into a place in which everywhere you turn, there will be something to eat.

Spring is here so I’ll see ya soon.

-B

Element Advocate Brian Gaberman is based in Sebastopol, CA. See his bio and more imagery here.

View Photo on Rolling Stone

View Element Clothing

March 2012

Element Advocate Mike Kershnar went to Brazil recently with The Keep Abreast Foundation. While there, he got to engage in his two favorite activities, skateboarding and painting in the streets. Check out this lil video by Alexandre of 100% Skateboarding featuring Mike and Element Brazil’s Mancha.

This morning I stumbled across a polaroid I took not so long ago, and was reminded how much I love to look at it. Specifically, Because it transports me to the time and place it was taken. As skateboarders we all know this feeling; the vibration of not-so-smooth asphalt massaging the soles of your feet accompanied by the rattling hum of a loose bolt or two. This feeling is priceless, and should never be taken for granted. Go skateboard, you will not regret it if you live.

Element Advocate, Loren Humphrey and his band Guards are going to SXSW, and playing a jam packed schedule (listed below). And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Thrasher Death Match with live bands and a mini-ramp. The event’s sponsored by Converse, so our very own Julian Davidson will be there. If you’re in town, enjoy the music and mayhem, and we’ll see you there.

Loren Humphrey (Guards drummer) originally wrote and recorded the song “I See It Coming” for MAKE IT COUNT, The Element Story (chapter 4). Guards then reshaped and rerecorded the song, including lyrics written by Richie Follin. The song became one of the top singles on the band’s first EP, and was their first official music video. The video was shot in a mortuary, with an orchestra playing the live instruments which were originally multi-tracked. The end result is nothing short of amazing.

Guards are Richie Follin and Loren Humphrey of Willowz, along with MGMT‘s James Richardson and Madeline Follin of Cults. Loren has worked closely with Element for years, creating all sorts of exclusive music, including the MAKE IT COUNT soundtrack, the music for the FUTURE NATURE and RISE & SHINE trailers, a slew of commercials and look-book videos, and all of the music used for the MAKE IT COUNT Contest Series for the past three years.

For more information on Guards, visit them HERE, you can even download their EP for free.

And when you have time, check out their live performance on MTV HERE, with Loren and Richie rocking some Element Emerald gear! The two later came by the Element Emerald launch party at Saturdays in New York, as seen below with Johnny Schillereff (Element Founder).

Guards on the SXSW schedule, and details below.

Tuesday 3/13 WHITE IRIS PARTY 8:45pm @ Parkside 301 E.6th St.

Thursday 3/15 SMALL PLATES / ULTRA 8201 PARTY 2:15pm @ Lovejoys 604 Neches St.

Thursday 3/15 DEATH & TAXES PARTY 6:00pm @ Cheer Up Charlies 1104 E.6th St.

Thursday 3/15 WINDISH AGENCY SHOWCASE / PURE VOLUME HOUSE 9:00pm @ ND Studios 501 North IH-35

Friday 3/16 FLOATING FEST / HYPE MACHINE PARTY 10:00pm @ Hype Hotel 504 Trinity St.

Saturday 3/17 BROOKLYN VEGAN / PARTISAN PARTY 5:00pm @ Hotel Vegas 1500 E.6th St.

Saturday 3/17 CHEVROLET SOUNDSTAGE 11:45pm @ 612 E.6th St.

Photo credit: Amber B Dianda

The Beantown Sundown was a wonderful art and skate filled night at Orchard Skateshop in Boston.

Upstairs, three rooms were filled with alters, fine art and found items by Element Advocate and artist Mike Kershnar. Included were copies of Kershnar’s latest ‘zine, which contains a short story inspired by Boston’s history and skate scene. Click below to download the ‘zine.

Downstairs, Donny Barley, PJ Ladd and Levi Brown signed autographs for visitors and guests.

Vibes were high in the Orchard gallery and everyone was stoked to have Donny Barley, PJ Ladd, Levi Brown, and Panama Dan on hand. Peep the ‘zine, and get out there and get creative in the streets.

CLICK HERE to see a gallery of photos from the night.

“Tools for Change” is The Ecology Center’s new interactive exhibition that explores the myriad instruments (literal and figurative) that can be used to achieve positive ecological change and a culture of sustainability at the household and community level.

This first edition takes you inside the Ecology Center and invites you to visit them on location. After this introduction “Tools for Change” will provide ways you can adapt into your life without having to visit the location. Let’s now take a look at the location and the exhibit:

Healthy Home, Sustainable Community

Tools For Change promotes healthy homes and a sustainable community by connecting people, products, ideas, and resources.

Tools For Kids

The Kids’ Zone is a play area and learning space for young people that encourages creativity, curiosity and ecological awareness. The space features a robust library of children’s books, videos, and other educational resources that celebrate sustainability and impart simple things kids can do to make a difference.

Pledge. Do. Share.

Tools For Change is a highly interactive experience that offers opportunities for anyone to make a difference, big or small. The exhibition challenges visitors to:

• Pledge to make simple, positive changes in daily tasks and choices
• Do what they promise by implementing or adopting their pledge
• Share their new skills and knowledge with friends and neighbors

Tools For Change is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 AM – 5 PM, and by reservation for school groups Monday through Friday.

Miika Adamov was the overall winner of the 2012 MAKE IT COUNT Contest at Epic Skatepark in Sacramento, CA. Miika will join contest winners from all over the world at the finals at Element YMCA Camp in August, along with a trip to The Berrics. The next MAKE IT COUNT Contest will be in New England on February 25th.

Transworld Skateboarding

Matt Fink from Element Skate Camp Featured

VIEW VIDEO

January 2012

Berrics

Off the Grid with Chad Tim Tim and Levi Brown

VIEW VIDEO

January 2012

Even before the 6pm start people were queuing up outside and throughout the evening the ‘Made my Day’ gallery hosted hundreds of visitors keen to see the new collection and Thomas’ wall piece.

High Snobiety filmers and photographers were on hand to cover the event, so stay tuned for the video and photo gallery! In the meantime check out these few photos below and also Thomas Campbells’ website to see more of his work.

The Element “MAKE IT COUNT” 2012 International contest series continues this Saturday Jan. 28th, 2012 in Sacramento, CA at Epic Skate Park. Entry fee for the contest is one canned food item that will be donated to local food banks. The overall winner of the contest will win a trip to Element YMCA Skate Camp for the Finals and get a private session at The Berrics with the Element team for the summer of 2012. Element special guests Levi Brown, Julian Davidson and Boo Johnson will be on hand to help judge the contest. See you in Sacramento for Stop #2!

For more information on the contest click HERE.

Click HERE to go behind the scenes with Nyjah as he revisits some of the worst slams during filming of “RISE & SHINE.”

For more information on The Transworld Skateboarding Awards and to see all nominees click HERE.

The brief on the show reads:
Slam Dance culminates the last two years of his art practice in the city. The show aims to beautifully reflect the various active components of the universe that combine to create mystery in our lives. Influenced by ritualized shamanic art practices, graffiti, and the spiritual path, Slam Dance seeks to stimulate the creative spirit within people in the gallery space to ripple outward into the larger world. The Slam Dance is the distilled force that comes from synthesizing the ancient and the modern psyches and the urban and natural landscapes.

Check it out if you are in the area, otherwise take the tour with grand opening video, zine download and photos.