Visual Shapers
Curated by Rich Jacobs
What is Tails Of…
Half art zine and half skate mag. The content aims to be universal and timeless. Each issue of Tails Of… will be curated by an artist or photographer. This issue is curated by Rich Jacobs and the theme is ‘Visual Shapers.’ Next issue, I don’t know who’ll be running the show. This might make each issue feel very different, but this is all part of the plan. Skateboarders come with a wide array of ideas, styles, and influences. The goal is to showcase these diverse vantage points.
A few words from Rich Jacobs
Just wanted to let you in on the purpose of this real quick. The idea is quite simple–the art and aesthetics of skateboarding and its culture is rich and has a deep interesting history. There are books on skate graphics and stickers as well as the art aspect, but there is more to it.
We have a lot of amazing photographers that have kindly documented and shown us what we looked like while skating through the decades. It is a blessing that this rich archive of material exists and it is all historically significant. It captures the essence of skaters. Their attitude creates the true aesthetic or visual vibe of it all. Don’t believe me? Look at a photo of Duane Peters, GSD, Alva, his whole team, or any of the Dogtown skaters.
There are so many that have contributed to the history, but here are some of my personal favorites that have opened it up for everyone else.
Skateboarder Magazine, Action Now, Thrasher, PowerEdge, TransWorld Slap, Strength, HomeBoy, Warp, Skateboarding, The Skateboard Mag, Rad, Sugar, Skateboard Book, Concussion, 54, all the newer European ones, and ones I’m forgetting as I write this late into the night.
There’s also the real history from the skaters themselves, in self-published xerox skate zines. There is fashion, but I just think of that as a function of style. That matters more. Having your own style is still the best kind. Pioneers and those who pushed things a bit harder are honored here. Big ups to Craig Stecyk for laying down the foundation of a vision. We all benefit from good design. Thanks for reading Thanks for reading Tails Of… number one. We are just getting started. Go easy.
Rich Jacobs
Table of Contents
Tails Of… is a print magazine and we want you to experience it in that form if possible. We also understand that we can’t reach everyone in that way so we’ll publish some of the articles online. These will get released over time, eventually… OK, maybe if we feel like it.
10 : J. Grant Brittain – no end in sight
32 : Garry Scott Davis
42 : Ed Templeton – Margaret Kilgallen for Toy Machine
44 : Norma Ibarra
46 : Graphic
58 : Woodlead – Lee Eschliman
64 : Hagop Najarian
74 : Tod Swank – Star & Moon
78 : Christy Karacas – Drawing Balls and Boards
86 : Sergej Vutuc
88 : The Graphic that Changed Your Life
98 : Mat O’Brien
112 : Ender with Aaron Draplin