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ETNIES ROLLS INTO ITS NEXT 25 YEARS

June 29, 2011 (PARIS) – Today etnies is celebrating its 25 year anniversary in the city where it all began by looking forward and conceptualizing what skateboarding could be like in the next 25 years.  Pierre-André Senizergues, former pro skateboarder and owner of etnies, hand-picked three creative minds from the brand’s history – Gil Le Bon Delapointe, Mike Manzoori and Yogi Proctor – to  create compelling concepts that demonstrate what living, moving and thinking could look like in the future.  The artists’ pieces are on display at La Gaîté Lyrique Public Domaine – skateboard culture exhibition from today through August 7.

etnies was created by skateboarders for the lifestyle of skateboarders who often travel in small tribes and create their own subcultures.  As the first skateboarder- owned footwear and apparel brand, etnies pioneered many firsts in skateboarding, like the industry’s first pro model shoe in 1987 – the Natas.

While the skateboarding industry has become big business over the last two decades with ginormous corporations coming in to cash-in on skateboarding’s popularity and gobble up pure skateboarder-owned brands – etnies has remained independent and true to its original mission; a skateboarder’s brand supporting skateboarders and their needs.  Led by Pierre-André, etnies continues to give back to skateboarding and support its subcultures like the artistic outlets skateboarding influences with these new pieces on display at La Gaîté Lyrique Public Domaine:

LIVING – THE PAS HOUSE
Imagine a city in the future that was built for the purpose of skateboarding. Skateboarding would be the primary form of transportation and recreation – in and out of your home.  The PAS House takes this concept and brings it to life through an architectural project mixing a modern single family home with flawless transitions and ledges – all from an environmentally-driven perspective.

A full-scale, 70 square-meter (753.5 -square foot) version of this original idea and vision created by Pierre-André Senizergues, designed by artist, Gil Le Bon Delapointe and supervised by Francois Perrin, is now a reality and on display at La Gaîté Lyrique Public Domaine.  The PAS House is a glimpse into the future that shows what the NEXT 25 years may look like when combining the powerful influence of skateboarding with a dwelling place.


MOVING – AIMLESS
As skateboarding continues to evolve and progress, it draws from the many influences that define and redefine its character; no one can predict what it will be like in the NEXT 25 years. With this momentum, the movement will not stagnate, the destination is uncertain so it’s irrelevant. The magic is in the journey and experience. Mike Manzoori’s AIMLESS film celebrates this visually by capturing the feeling of pure exploration from a skateboarder’s perspective.

Designed specifically for La Gaîté’s enormous panoramic screen, Mike Manzoori’s original piece is taking viewers on a unique digital film experience.

THINKING – THE BAGUETTE BOARD, CANON AND RIP
Skateboarders see the world differently, from multiple points of view and creatively think of ways to ride everyday obstacles in the city.  This sets up the world like a decoy, so to speak, and alters the very fabric of the world around us. From this viewpoint, the NEXT 25 years offers to be an era of intriguing interactions with the world of art and progressive thinking. Artist Yogi Proctor offers three works throughout the exhibit – Canon, Rip and The Baguette Board.  Additionally the audience is introduced to Sade Coy, a muse of artist Yogi Proctor that shows up at La Gaîté Lyrique Public Domaine giving the chance to interact in numerous ways as an artist, a curator, a concept and as a work of art.  The secret is in the eye of the beholder and can be unlocked only through a personal interpretation of what one sees.


Discover The Baguette Board in the entrance of La Gaîté Lyrique Public Domaine (top center) and Yogi’s additional pieces in the Underground exhibit with Canon (bottom left) and RIP(bottom right).

Check etnies.com for additional info and images today, and more on the etnies Next 25 celebration in the coming weeks.

 

About etnies:
Established in 1986, etnies is the first skateboarder-owned and operated global action sports footwear and apparel company. etnies not only pushed the envelope by creating the first pro model skate shoe, but it pioneered technological advances  and changed the face of skateboard footwear forever. Today, etnies’ vision, led by owner and skateboarder Pierre-André Senizergues, is to remain the leading action sports company committed to creating innovative products that provide the most style, comfort and protection possible.  etnies stays true to its roots by sponsoring world class skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, moto x, BMX and auto teams and continues its dedication by giving back to each of these communities.  For additional information, visit etnies.com.