If you’re in Sydney this weekend Billabong are putting on a comp down at World Square on Saturday (27/06). Here are the plans for the setup. Amnesia riders Ben Gauci and Brad McDermott will be there and possibly Darren Kaehne if there are bets to be taken. More info here.
Jono Power is a ripper from the ‘Diff in Newcastle. He’s also the first rider to be named as part of the Amnesia Wheel Team.
Welcome to Amnesia Jono.
The long awaited collaberation with artist Iason Sarris is on it’s way to us. The series features 4 new board graphics which represent different parts of Mexican culure. Iason explains the story behind each graphic below. (taken from http://sarris.blogspot.com/)
Ramirez
The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries. It was originally seen designed on the Cronica Mexicayotl as more of a “ying yang” or “burning water” symbol, but Spanish invaders tweaked the design to fit European Heraldic christian elements, which is seen on the mexican flag. This design is a return to the original version with the feathered serpent god Quetzalc?hu?tl, creator of humanity. The eagle was a representation of the sun god Huitzilopochtli. The Cronica Mexicayotl is a chronicle of the Aztec empire that was written in the Nahuatl language (which ive written in the Nahuatl language on the scroll).
Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican icon mixed with the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl and Santa Catarina (it’s current incantation). Catholicism merged with Aztec indigenous religion is know as Santeria, the feathers and candles are from sacrifice rituals that are a part of Santeria life.
Zapata
Emiliano Zapata was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution who defended the poor and indigenous people. Zapata has in the last few decades been recast as a quasi-religious icon as well, mostly within the “Zapatista”(EZLN/Mayan) communities, where he is called “Votán Zapata”. Below is a EZLN Woman soldier wearing the Infamous red bandanna, the orange/yellow flowers and smoke are part of a “Dia De Los Muertos” to evoke dead souls.
Mistico
Mistico, a luchador, raised in the notorious Tepito district of Mexico City, has risen to a saint-like superstar status in Mexico, “El Corazon desenmascarado” translates as “The unmasked heart” A parody of the Sacred Heart, which is sometimes seen in Eastern Catholic Churches as a point of controversy and is seen as an example of bastardization from Western/latin Catholic church. Here its pushed further with a Mexican cultural hybrid.
Amnesia is a small brand that is always looking for opportunities to get a little media coverage to spread the word. Whether that be our riders fetaured in mags and videos or the occasional product review. Getting some product placement in a fine publication such as Picture Mag would have never been something we would have thought possible. Until now.
Thanks to Sydney shredder Vanessa for the free Amnesia/Beastman coverage below as featured in the ‘Homegirls’ section of Picture Mag.
There is always some work that goes into designing a new Amnesia product. The first batch of boards we ordered were raw and unsanded because we asked for a “natural” finish. One batch of boards arrived from Canada that were drilled off centre. Over the years you learn more about how to communicate what you need and also who to use for what product.
Over the past few days a lot of back and forth communication has been happening between us and our griptape manufacturer. Getting the right diecut has turned into more of a challenge than expected. Below are some sample cuts and hopefully by the end of the week we’ll have agreed on a final design.
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