Skateistan and The Impossible Project release limited edition Polaroid film
- Text by Alex Taylor
Skateistan and The Impossible Project have dropped their new joint project this week releasing a limited edition film for Polaroid 600-type cameras.
The film gives the photographer a geometric, Afghan textile-inspired design at the bottom of each polaroid. A percentage of each pack sold goes directly to helping Skateistan’s philanthropic projects in Afghanistan, Cambodia and their latest venture in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Skateistan are an NGO who, through working with vulnerable five to 18-year-olds across the world, are committed to creating opportunities and change through education and skating. Every week, they work with more than 1,200 children from disadvantaged backgrounds get an education that would be impossible otherwise.
The Impossible Project CEO Oskar Smolokowski, 26, said: “It’s always great to see that kind of stuff, and to see the results and the kids making some difference, however small, it’s making.”
Currently, Impossible are the only company in the world making “instant film for classic Polaroid cameras” after purchasing the last Polaroid producing company in 2008.
Their hook up with Skateistan started last year when, as Smolokowski said: “We love what they’re doing and we reached out. We figured out our first project to work together on, and that was last year. We basically donated a bunch of film and cameras and sent them over to one of those locations in Afghanistan. They did a media-based project with the kids which was a journalism project.”
He went on to praise the work done by Oliver Percovich and the team over at Skateistan saying: “If you’re out there and all you see is bad stuff around you don’t really have a reason to turn out to be a good person. Even though they aren’t directly teaching people math, they’re actually getting the kids to believe that there’s some good and some fun. The more opportunities that come to them, and there aren’t many, the better it is.”
Percovich, 40, has been heading up the Skateistan for nearly eight years now and said that he’s excited to be reaching a larger audience than ever with this new project. He said: “I think it’s a really great way to reach a new audience with Impossible and use polaroid cameras which are a huge market globally. People that probably hadn’t seen us before will be exposed to Skateistan, so that’s really cool.”
The limited edition film is out now and you buy it here or donate straight or Skateistan.
You might like
In photos: Black Texas life since emancipation
Kinship & Community — A new photobook and exhibition showcases the rich culture, history and community of African American folks in the Lone Star State, whose existence in the region predates colonial Britain.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
Harry Gruyaert’s vintage, kaleidoscopic scenes of New York
A Sense of Place — For 50 years, the Belgian photographer and Magnum Photos member has been capturing NYC’s colourful chaos. A new photobook and exhibition showcase his unique, technicolour view of the city.
Written by: Miss Rosen
In the pit at one of the UK’s last stock car & banger speedways
Stock Car Racing Isn’t Dead — Photographer Liam McCarthy spent time in and around the Arlington Raceway’s circuit, capturing the diehard community that keeps the sport alive.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Inside Lower Duck Pond, the nicest town on the internet
/r/HaveWeMet — With a population of 2,500 and no fixed location, the subreddit is a space for roleplaying citizens to solve mysteries, host fictional events and ultimately connect. In an internet that’s often divided and toxic, Vicky Jessop hangs out in one of its most wholesome corners.
Written by: Vicky Jessop
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
