Tom Kirkman
IDOL introduces you to Tom Kirkman, one of the top mountain boarders in the world. Hailing from Cornwall, a town synonymous with surfing, Kirkman really is a cut above the rest. Having won two championship titles in 2010 alone, we find out what makes mountain boarding so appealing, and what it takes to be such a success story.


CORNWALL IS WELL-KNOWN HOTSPOT FOR SURFERS, SKATEBOARDERS AND BMX-ERS, WHAT DRIVES YOU TO MOUNTAIN BOARDING RATHER THAN THE SLIGHTLY MORE POPULAR OPTIONS?
I love to skate and surf but mountain boarding gives me something I don’t get from either of those sports, the freedom to ride wherever I want and whenever I want, to be creative with my terrain and riding.


YOU STARTED MOUNTAIN BOARDING IN EARLY TEENAGE YEARS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST THING ABOUT MOUNTAIN BOARDING? 
For me it’s the friends I’ve met along the way, the places I’ve been and the way the sport has progressed, mountain boarding is a relatively new sport which means new  tricks and styles are happening every day, it takes a bit of so many sports an rolls them all into one.


HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR STYLE OF RIDING?
I don’t know, I like to think I don’t huck much, I favour a floaty trick over a dirty spin any day. I just enjoy myself and hope that comes across In my riding.


YOU HAVE BEEN OUT FOR THE COMPETITIONS FOR A WHILE DUE TO AN INJURY, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK?
It sucks to be injured; when I can’t ride all I want to do is ride, especially when I see my friends having fun doing what I love. The competitions are the last thing on my list at the moment, mountain boarding is too fun to take it, and yourself, too seriously, but it feels great to be back on a board and having fun with my friends.


IF YOU COULD CHOOSE A PLACE IN THE WORLD TO RIDE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
I’m in Brazil right now, this place has it all, great people, great free-riding, a few great parks, and it is one of the most beautiful place on earth, other than that anywhere with my friends be it the local park, a dirt track, or through some woods.


YOU ARE TRAVELLING A LOT AND HELPING TO PROMOTE MOUNTAIN BOARDING. HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN SO FAR? WHERE WOULD YOU REALLY LIKE TO TAKE THE SPORT?
Travelling is my true love, meeting new friends, tasting new cultures, and finding new spots to ride. Mountain boarding gets a great response everywhere we go.


YOU HAVE STARTED YOU OWN COMPANY ATC PRODUCTION WHERE YOU PUBLISH MOUNTAIN BOARDING VIDEOS, HOW IS THAT GOING?
The site ATC Productions (www.atcproductions.co.uk) is going great; we’ve been making videos for years now and this gives us a way to show the world what we’re doing, we also produce clothing, and our shop will be up soon. We’re not really a company, just a bunch of mates who have got time to try and show our sport to people in a way that would get us excited if we’d never seen mountain boarding before. As for creative director, that’s just a word we made up, I don’t even know what it really means.


YOU WON THE WORLD DOWNHILL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FRANCE AND THE WORLD FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN AUGUST; IT SEEMS YOUR SUCCESS IS NOT GOING TO STOP ANYTIME SOON, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2011? 
Travel, ride and have even more fun than last year.


WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ARE MOUNTAIN BOARDING DOWNHILL WITH NO BRAKES?
Not much, it sounds a bit strange but it’s a bit like meditation for me, I don’t hear anything, I don’t think about anything, just pure pleasure.


IN YOUR OWN OPINION, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DO THIS SPORT?
Mountain boarding is one of the most accessible sports there is, you don’t have to be hitting big jumps or flying down a mountain to enjoy it, my mum rides, anyone can do it you just need to start small and work your way up. Being able to stand up is a bonus too.

WHO OR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN YOUR NEXT LIFE?

Me again, I haven’t got any complaints, I’m having a great life!

YOU WON 3 TIMES THE WORLD CHAMPION AND UK ELITE CHAMPION AND YOU ARE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST MOUNTAIN RIDERS IN THE WORLD, DID YOU EXPECT THIS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?

Yes, it sounds really cocky, but the only reason I got to where I am with my sport is because I have self belief, when I’m in the start gates, no part of me thinks I’m going to pull out second; or, when I’m dropping into a jump, I know I’m going to land the trick I’m trying otherwise I wouldn’t make it.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FELL SCARED?

The other day when I was standing with my hands on the boot of my friend’s car two pistols and a rifle pointed at my back and three cops screaming at me in a language I couldn’t understand.

DESCRIBE A REGULAR DAY

Wake up, eat something, play a bit of guitar, either go to work or call some mates and see what’s up; go for a ride or a skate, get unhealthily drunk and try and talk to a girl then carry a friend home. Or just drink loads of tea and have an early night.

WHAT WOULD BE DOING IF YOU NEVER FOUND MOUNTAIN BOARDING?

Drugs and booze in the bus stop.

AND FINALLY, WHO IS YOUR IDOL?
I really don’t have one, my parents maybe, they’re amazing; or my little brother, he’s the most natural smooth mountain boarder ever.

Interview by Katre Laan
Pictures courtesy of Tom K.

Published in IDOL magazine online version:
http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-interview/tom-kirkman

Dan Witz 
Dan Witz is a US street artist that has recently been described as one of the greatest artists of his generation…not that he appears to be completely aware of it; he’s far too nice for that. One of the pioneers of street art, he has been doodling away since the 1970s, and shows no sign of slowing down. His work is all about being realistic, with every piece different from the last, and always hoping to shock and provoke emotion in those that see it. His work is designed not only to shock, but also confuse, with a lot of his work looking so realistic, it’s hard to tell the difference between art and reality: it’s really no surprise he’s had his work shown throughout the US and Europe. But he’s more than a street artist; he’s done 18 books, taken part in several films, and is a self-confessed rebel, taking inspiration from punk rock. There’s a lot coming up for Dan Witz, including his 18th solo show at Jonathon Levine in a mere five months. It’s time for Mr Witz to meet IDOL, don’t you think?


"SEEING, THE CLASH, THE RAMONES, PUNKS AND GRAFFITI BOMBED TRAINS ART SCHOOL SEEMED KINDA OUT OF TOUCH." HOW DID YOUR STUDIES AT THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS ART SCHOOLS IN THE U.S. SHAPE YOUR VIEWPOINT ON EMERGING GRAFFITI SCENE AT THE TIME?
As an art student, right out of the gate, rebellion was my default setting. The idea was, if the world was a fucked up place that desperately needed changing, and contemporary art (and art schooling) had failed us in this respect, then it became necessary to subvert current art practices—to, yes, destroy our idols. Taking my cue from punk rock and graffiti I abandoned conventional art making and took to the streets.


WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN STREET ART SCENE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
I was attracted to doing street art back then because hardly anyone else was doing it. Originality was important to me. Also I didn’t want to spend my life making objects for rich people to decorate their homes with.


AFTER YEARS IN THE SCENE, HOW HAS YOUR ROLE AS A STREET ARTIST CHANGED OVER THE TIME? DO YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO OR BECAUSE YOU FEEL OBLIGATED?
It’s never been a strategy to get ahead for me. I still believe in anonymous, not-for-sale art as a meaningful rebellion—a genuine game changer. And I still enjoy doing it, everything about it, especially the adrenalin. Interviews like this are an uneasy obligation for me, but I understand it’s a privilege, and sometimes I end up finding out stuff even I didn’t know about myself. I’d much rather be painting though.


THE LAST 10 YEARS HAS SEEN A BOOM IN STREET ART. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR SKILL AND INNOVATION. IF IN THE EARLY YEARS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF GRAFFITI WAS RESISTANCE, THEN CURRENTLY IT MIGHT SEEM THAT MANY AMATEURS ARE SIMPLY DECORATING CITIES. WOULD YOU SAY THE PURPOSE OF GRAFFITI HAS CHANGED?
Probably. But I’m really not too involved with the “scene”, and try not to pontificate about the politics of street art if possible. Vestigial rebellion I guess…On the whole though, I’d say the energy I encounter is pretty healthy, strong enough to withstand all the inevitable bullshit and corruption.


YOUR FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED IS CALLED “THE BIRDS OF MANHATTAN”. AT 2010 "HUMMINGBIRDS, 2011" WAS PUBLISHED. WHAT ROLE DO YOUR SIGNATURE HUMMINGBIRDS DEPICT IN THE SOCIETY? DOES IT SYMBOLIZE ANYTHING FOR YOU?

It’s a personal symbol. I will say that the meme idea--reducing the same imagery in new contexts- can be more interesting than it sounds. It’s incredible how an outside force like time can completely alter the meaning of an image.

For the most part though, it’s unfortunate (for the sake of my so-called career), but I have a difficult time repeating myself. If I’m known for anything it’s that I’m known for not doing the same thing.

IN 2010 YOU ALSO RELEASED A BOOK OF YOUR RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTION, DAN WITZ: IN PLAIN VIEW — 30 YEARS OF ARTWORKS ILLEGAL AND OTHERWISE. WHILE PUTTING THE CONTEXT TOGETHER, WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED OR INSPIRED YOU IN THE PROCESS?

Yes. I had the good fortune to work with an awesome publisher: Gingko Press. To be honest I was expecting the publisher to try and keep the book small and manageable, to make creative decisions based on practical considerations. But it was actually the opposite. Those guys are in it for the love of making books, not money. It was a very cool experience.

YOUR WORK WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE AT THE TIME AND STILL IS NOW, HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH IDEAS?

Usually it’s an evolution from the last thing I did. With new ideas I try and amend the failures and shortcomings of the preceding project. Every time I begin a new series, I don’t consider it successful until my previous year’s work looks painfully obsolete, which can be hard. Part of me envies artists (and writers, and musicians) that have found something they’re successful at and repeat it: it must be nice and relaxing, especially if there’s a regular paycheck involved. Unfortunately (or fortunately) most of me is horrified at living that way. 

OPPOSITE TO OTHER ARTISTS, YOU TRY TO DO YOUR PIECES AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE. 

My goal these days is to make it seem as if a real person (or whatever) is lurking there behind the grate. To this end I use digital sampling and all the techniques of illusionistic painting I’ve learned over the years. When people encounter my stuff I’m hoping they’ll respond to the scenario, to what’s going on--I want their initial response to be shock and WHAT THE %$#@? rather than first wondering who the artist is. 

IN THE WHAT THE #@%$? (WTF) AND TRUE LOVE SERIES, THE IMAGES ARE EVOCATIVE, SURREAL AND SLIGHTLY CREEPY. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MEANING OF THESE PARTICULAR PROJECTS?

Primarily the intent is to give pause. On a deeper level, like many artists, I’m trying to question and supplant the nature of what we know--of what we take for granted as reality. It’s been my experience that reality, on close examination, is in fact mostly a sham, a façade. Puncture the surface and all sorts of instructive weirdness are fulminating down there. Some of it is alarming and repulsive but there is also great beauty and grace, a creative intelligence that’s busily trying to signal what’s missing from our lives. Every day we get momentary glimpses behind the veil but our brains are programmed to filter them out so we can survive (work), and not go mad with self-doubt. But, in my opinion, the current climate of complacency is a much more alarming condition. Witness George Bush.


IS THERE A CITY/COUNTRY, YOU HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GO BUT ARE STILL EAGER TO GO?

Many. I’ll go pretty much anywhere I’m invited (and sponsored). I really need to visit Russia and see The Hermitage and their other great old master museums. Anyone want to go?


WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH YOUR STREET ARTWORK?
Wake up.


WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU NEXT?
I just got home from a big street art and show event in San Francisco so I’ve been drawing to get me grounded again. This summer I plan to look for new and improved paintings and street art. There’s gonna be a solo show at Jonathan Levine in July—mosh pit paintings. And there’s definitely gonna be more films. That’s been an interesting new development. 


WHAT IS THE MOST FEARLESS THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
If fearless means, “Absence of fear”, then there’s nothing dangerous I’ve ever done fearlessly, except maybe when I was stupid drunk. And take my word for it: none of that’s worth bragging about.


WHO DO YOU LOOK UP AS YOUR IDOL?
I probably shouldn’t say—because then I’d be obligated to destroy them.

Interview by Katre Laan
Pictures: Courtesy of the artist

Published in IDOL magazine online version:
http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-interview/dan-witz