The underground skate scene of ‘90s Brooklyn

Caught on film — In his project We Skate Hardcore, photographer Vincent Cianni captures a forgotten community finding freedom in skating.

In 1993, photographer Vincent Cianni moved to the south side of Williamsburg, as the next generation of Puerto Rican and Dominican teens were coming of age.

“Life was played out in so many different ways on the sidewalks, stoops, and playgrounds,” he remembers. “I started playing handball in McCarren Park and started to take my camera with me. It became part of my connection to the neighbourhood.”

After about a year and a half, Cianni came upon a scrappy group of local kids and teens who had built a skate ramp in a vacant lot by the river at North 7th Street. They were there to refine their skills, so they could get sponsored to skate professionally. “Like basketball, it was a way out of poverty and the experiences that they have growing up,” the photographer explains.

Cianni, a first-generation Italian-American, slowly became entangled in the lives of his subjects, building lifelong bonds with the people he photographed over the next nine years.

Anthony Hitting on Giselle, Vivien Waiting, Lorimer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 1996

Handball, McCarren Park Williamsburg Brooklyn 1994

We Skate Hardcore: Photographs from Brooklyn’s Southside was a collaborative project that was so layered and involved,” he says. “They used to come over to my loft and hang out. I would cook for them. They would bring their own pictures, and started writing on pictures that I made, telling their stories.”

A selection of those stories and images will be on view in Vincent Cianni: A Survey, which opens March 1, 2019. Cianni notes that the exhibition is just a half-hour drive from Camp Woodward, a skate park run by Richie Velasquez, one of the main characters in We Skate Hardcore, and his wife. “My work doesn’t stop with the ending of the project,” Cianni says.

In his book about the project, We Skate Hardcore (NYU Press, 2004), Cianni beautifully captures the raw, gritty, grandeur of Brooklyn life just as gentrification began to take hold.

Johnny’s 16th Birthday, Berry Street Williamsburg Brooklyn 1997

Sugeiry Touching Scarface with Knife, Bedford Avenue Williamsburg Brooklyn 1998

“There were two different communities in Williamsburg that were starting to interact, sometimes in conflict, with each other: the south side, predominantly Latinx, who had been there since the 1950s, and the north side, this new wave of poor struggling artists with more privileges than the people already there.”

“These kids were resolved to skate no matter what and to tap into the system to get the skate park built – not only to shape up their skills but to give younger kids somewhere to skate. They drew up plans for a skate park but came upon opposition from the community board. They spoke openly about being on the outside and racial conflict in the interviews I did with them.”

Despite having their skate parks razed by the City or confiscated by developers who were acquiring empty lots, Cianni made sure the kids in We Skate Hardcore would profit from their work. He arranged to include a clause in the photo release that gave all participants a percentage of commercial sales of the images.

“I thought, if they are giving something to me, I should give something more than a photograph,” Cianni says. “A photograph is fine but money speaks. When you come down to reality, share the wealth.”

Jose and Elton on the Ramp, East River Pier Williamsburg Brooklyn 1995

Nelson, Bedford Avenue Williamsburg Brooklyn 1998

Under The Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Williamsburg Brooklyn 1996

Welcome To Crooklyn, Walking Across the Williamsburg Bridge 1996

Pu Tang Clan

 

Vincent Cianni: A Survey is on view at Lycoming College University in Williamsport, PA, from March 1-April 6, 2019.

Follow Miss Rosen on Twitter.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


Ad

Latest on Huck

Group of people dancing at a live music performance, with a large "Spaces Beats" sign in the background.
Music

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms

Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.

Written by: Jack Styler

A person's face surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers include orange, red, and yellow dahlias, as well as smaller yellow blooms. The person's expression is serious.
Music

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.

Written by: Uwade

Taxidermy alligator with a small monkey sitting on its head, displayed on a wooden shelf with other items.
Culture

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets

“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Muscular man with arms crossed in a dark setting, 'Hard Feelings' text overlay.
Sport

Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”

Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.

Written by: Robert Kazandjian

Close-up view of a woman in a vintage pose, with flowing hair and an outstretched hand, set against a hazy, scenic background.
© Peter Palladino, courtesy of the Peter Palladino Archive.
Culture

Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer

Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Crushed Burger King cup, playing card, caution tape on cracked pavement.
Culture

This photographer picked up 1,000 weed baggies in New York and documented them

0.125OZ — Since originally stumbling across a discarded bag in Brooklyn, Vincent ”Streetadelic” Pflieger has amassed a huge archive of marijuana packaging, while inadvertently capturing a moment as cannabis went from an illicit, underground drug to big business.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.