French artist and skater Lucas Beaufort got tired of art that is out of reach of the majority of people who love it, so he launched the LB Project to make work from some of the most awesome skate artists available to anyone who takes part. In the process, the year long project aims to bring together skaters from all over Europe with shows of the art produced in Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and London. The project will also raise money for NGO Skateistan who use skateboarding as a tool to empower young people in Cambodia and Afghanistan.
Why did you feel it was necessary to try and unite the european skating community?
I truly believe that we are stronger together. I love to share stuff with friends, it’s my philosophy. Things are boring when you don’t have anyone to share a piece of bread. I wanted to prove to everyone that it was possible to bring people together, especially today.
Why did you think art would be the tool to do this ?
First of all I love art, it’s part of my life. I can’t see myself without painting. I went to a lot of art shows and I’m fed up with the fact that people can see art but they can’t touch it. People become frustrated because they can’t afford it, especially kids. I wanted to give people a chance to get something that they couldn’t pay for themselves. No matter where you come from, you all are welcome. All users will have the opportunity to register for free on the LB project website to get a chance to win 27 of the 54 unique skateboards.
Who else is involved and what do they do? What made you want to collaborate with the artists you chose to work on the project with you?
So many people are involved. First of all I would like to introduce the artists, without whom nothing would be possible: Michael Sieben, Todd Bratrud, Mark Foster, Jeremy Fish, Mike Kershnar, BB Bastidas, Chad Eaton, Jeremyville, Kid Creature, Funeral French. They have all worked with skateboard brands or are skateboarders themselves.
How will the shows in each city work?
This project is divided into six art shows : Bright, Berlin 8-10 July 2014; Street Machine, Copenhagen 13 – 27 September 2014; FTC, Barcelona 22 November – 6 December; Vega, Paris 13 – 25 January 2015; Ben G, Amsterdam 14 – 28 March 2015; Parlour, London from 23 May – 6 June 2015. The artists present in London will be Mark Foster and Kid Creature.
What have been the challenges in bringing the project to life?
I have to admit that it wasn’t easy to coordinate everyone. I’m happy that all the people involved were proud to support Skateistan. Indeed, this project is an opportunity to put a spotlight on the NGO. We want to give them visibility and support their fight in Afghanistan and Cambodia.
How do you hope the project will have an impact?
That’s a big question. I would like to spread the project everywhere, especially in those countries where we don’t usually go on holiday. I already have a lot of support from different media such as A propos, Sidewalk, Bitchslap, Flatspot, Dogway, Place and you guys at Huck. It means a lot to me.
How can people get involved/show support?
Everyone who takes part will have the opportunity to register for free on the website to get a chance to win 27 from the 54 unique skateboards. Drawing of the lots will take place at the end of the project in June 2015 and the remaing skateboards will be donated to Skateistan. You can follow our Facebook page and our Instagram.
What’s the future for the LB project?
I have in mind to develop this concept in the US at the end of 2015 and in Japan at the end of 2016. Let’s cross our fingers.
Find out more about the LB Project and make sure you subscribe to be in with a chance of winning some rad skate art.
You might like
The last days of St Agnes Place, London’s longest ever running squat
Off the grid — Photographer Janine Wiedel spent four years documenting the people of the Kennington squat, who for decades made a forgotten row of terraced houses a home.
Written by: Isaac Muk
As salmon farming booms, Icelanders size up an existential threat
Seyðisfjörður — The industry has seen huge growth in recent years, with millions of fish being farmed in the Atlantic Ocean. But who benefits from its commercial success, and what does it mean for the ocean? Phil Young ventures to the remote country to find out.
Written by: Phil Young
How Japan revolutionised art & photography in the ’60s and ’70s
From Angura to Provoke — A new photobook chronicles the radical avant-garde scene of the postwar period, whose subversion of the medium of image making remains shocking and groundbreaking to this day.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Leticia Bufoni is one of the greatest skaters ever. Now she’s tearing up asphalt.
Vamos, Leticia! — The Brazilian trailblazer helped rewrite the rulebook for women in skateboarding – and now she’s setting the pace behind the wheel for Porsche. For Huck’s 20th Anniversary Issue, she reflects on shredding stereotypes, building a career in male-dominated spaces, empowering the next generation, and the lessons that defined her journey.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
The lacerating catharsis of body suspension in Hong Kong
Self-Ferrying — In one of the world’s most densely packed cities, an underground group of young people are piercing their skin and hanging their bodies with hooks in a shocking exploration of pain and pleasure. Sophie Liu goes to a session to understand why they partake in the extreme underground practice.
Written by: Sophie Liu
Activists hack London billboards to call out big tech harm
Tax Big Tech: With UK youth mental health services under strain, guerrilla billboards across the capital accuse social media companies of profiting from a growing crisis.
Written by: Ella Glossop
