Meet Your Shaper - Manny Caro

Mollusk created a mini doc series on classy shapers... here is Mandala's Manuel Caro. Enjoy!

Kopps on Wanderlust

By: Jenni Avins

Alex Kopps insists he’s not a nomad, but then again, he’s also in denial about being called a surfer. A nomad is a person who keeps on moving, usually in the search of some seasonal supply. Whether Kopps’s path is tracing a source of waves, artistic inspiration, or both, he doesn’t seem to stay in one place long—all the while producing work that could be the fantastic result of a creative collaboration between Wes Anderson and Jeff Spicoli. Though Kopps has a home and studio in West Oakland, he doesn’t have a phone and sends elusive emails from undisclosed locations with messages like, “i live out of a bike now… eating lavender blossoms and recycled paper.” Depending on who you ask, Alex Kopps could be a filmmaker, a painter, a surfboard designer, a graffiti artist, a writer of fictional histories (see gothicdolphins.blogspot.com), a teacher, an animator, a researcher… the list goes on. And he could be creating these paintings, surfboards, stories or cartoons anywhere from Oakland to Australia. Oh, and he might be working under a pseudonym. Suffice to say, he’s a tough person to pin on a map, figuratively and physically.

I first encountered Alex Kopps via vacadelmar.com, another surfing mammal who posted a link to the trailer for Kopps’ film, Displacement. The trailer is a mesmerizing vignette that brings portholes and Polaroids to mind, like a symphony shot through a salty lens. The title refers to the film’s subject: a special breed of surfboards born in the 60s when kneeboarder George Greenough combined qualities of long and shortboards to create a round-bottomed surfboard to sit lower in a wave instead on top of it. Displacement boards have a discerning design element and sub-cultural stigma that makes them perfect subject matter for a self-described “closeted” surfer like Kopps. The film has taken him and partner Steve Krajewski to remote locations in Australia and secret spots in mainland Mexico. Kopps roams creative media the way he roves the globe, taking the best of each mode or place to complement the next. To raise funds for Displacement he auctioned his paintings, compositions of elements that are at once organic and precise, such as spirograph-like shapes that look like they could appear under a microscope. Friends like artist Barry McGee and mad surf scientist George Greenough himself also contributed pieces, motivating Kopps to focus on finishing the film for “everyone who was in the auction and the people who ride the boards.”

Today, Alex cites his Bay Area base as evidence he’s made surfing secondary to other pursuits. As he says, “nobody moves to San Francisco to be a surfer.” Mind you, this was over a phone call made from a store in Ventura, as he watched waves through a window. It seems that what Kopps strives to separate himself from is a dated stereotype of surf culture, of what he calls the “endless sunsets and slow motion” of retro movies and monotonous “campfire vibe” that comes from too much time staring at the horizon. But if Alex Kopps has anything to say about it, this generation of modern medium-hopping grid-skipping surf culture will be nothing to be ashamed of.

Del Moro on Surfline

Surfline and Todd Gleasor posted a rad feature about a day in the life of Mr. Chris Del Moro. Check it out!

Family Show

I know I said I wasn't going to post while away on hiatus, but I found the internet and am managing to send a reminder that the Mollusk Family Poster Show is December 6th! Coming fast, and I'm bummed I will not be attending the gala but that doesn't mean that you can't. Info listed on the flyer; gunna be a rad show!

More Hiatus...

So... for those of you who read the blog, I am writing to say that I am ceasing to write for about two months. I am heavy on the preparation right now and have no "h" time (writing time). Preparing for my trip to ST. Eustatius is a lot of work, and for those of you who don't know, I will be living there starting November 9th until December 16th. I'll be workin in the Statia National Park; doin' my part in conserving the island's natural resources. Living at the base of the Quill volcano, I probably won't have internet access haha. But I will have surf, natives and baby sea turtles to keep me company. Once I am back, I'll fill everyone in. Until then, enjoy a vid a former volunteer put together. Enjoy! And Ciao!

Lavaflow

This Saturday, October 18 2008, Mollusk is showcasing "Lavaflow". From 7-10pm will be the opening reception showing the Hawaiian houses of Craig Steely and the artwork of Cathy Liu - all packed in the gallery at Mollusk Surf Shop. Music provided by Hatchback and Sorcerer. Aloha spoken here!

Jay Nelson at Triple Base Gallery

If you're in SF, check out this great new showing...

"The Autonomous Zone" - new work by Jay Nelson
October 10 – November 9, 2008
Opening Reception: Last Friday, October 10
Regular Gallery Hours: Thu-Sun, 12-5pm

Triple Base Gallery is now presenting The Autonomous Zone, new work by San Francisco-based artist Jay Nelson from October 10 – November 9, 2008. Jay Nelson's drawings, paintings and sculpture are created as part of his quest for individual autonomy within the modern American landscape. His solo show at Triple Base Gallery is an homage to the long history of the Western frontier as a destination for a romantic solitary experience. Focusing on San Francisco's Ocean Beach as his point of departure, Nelson will employ a range of media to explore his subject of inspiration. While Nelson's paintings and drawings imagine a utopian, psychedelic experience within the natural environment, his sculptures serve a dual function as both fine art and self-sustaining utilitarian objects. Previous sculptures have included site-specific treehouses, an energy-efficient car camper, compact "case studies" for travel, and most recently a motor scooter outfitted for exploration. Nelson's sculptures are simultaneously useful tools to transport oneself into the sky, forest or ocean as well as an imaginative starting point for the venture into a place of pure experience.

Definitely a must see if you're around...

Past Saturday at Patagonia Cardiff

This past Saturday October 11, at Patagonia's Cardiff Surf Shop, former southern California surfing standout Tom Wegener offered up some great videos and slideshow session. Over the past decade, Tom has focused his craft around building hollow, wooden boards and has poured a ton of work and research into riding ancient Hawaiian surfcraft known as alaias. The slideshow and video was about these very wood boards and the speed and thrill of riding a flat piece of wood without any fins. So if you were there, you definitely did not miss out.

Queen Bee Video

Neil Halstead's new vid for the single "Queen Bee", off of Oh! Mighty Engine. If you don't already have it, get it, watch and learn.

Dear & Yonder Benefit

T.Moe's wife has been putting this film together for awhile now. Seems like alot of people are involved and it looks like good stuff. An art benefit is being put on at the New Image Art Gallery to benefit the production cost of the film. Check it out if you can.

OFFICIAL RELEASE:

ONE NIGHT ONLY
Saturday October 25th 2008, 6-10pm
New Image Art 7908 Santa Monica Blvd. , West Hollywood, CA 90046

On October 25th New Image Art is hosting a benefit for the upcoming surf film Dear & Yonder. Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler have been working on the film for over a year to authentically document women who inspire both in and out of the water. This benefit has been organized to raise funds for the remaining production costs of the film, which will help keep it on track for a Summer 2009 release. The filmmakers' community has been integral to realizing the film, and is furthering its gracious support by donating artwork for the benefit. This dynamic group of talent includes Clare Rojas, Thomas Campbell, Alex Kopps, Barry McGee, Spencer Tunik, Lori d., Andy Davis, Jo Jackson, Laura Flippen, Evan Hecox, Stefan Simikich, Johanna St. Clair, Amy Jo Diaz, Jeff Canham, Kyle Field, Erin Kunkel, Jay Nelson, Josh Lazcano, Serena Mitnik-Miller, Nathaniel Russel, John McCambridge, Moses Berkson, Tiffany Campbell, Deanna Templeton, Chris Duncan, Liz Pepin, Rachel Kaye, Mason St. Peter, Nikki McClure, Rich Jacobs, Ed Templeton and more.The exhibition space has been offered by Marsea Goldberg who is an avid surfer with 15 years of commitment to showing "up and coming" female artists, making New Image Art a perfect fit.

About the film: The story behind the title is that some of the women featured in the film will be surfing their beloved home breaks (the Dear), such as bodysurfer Judith Sheridan who slides down the faces of San Francisco's formidable waves and Ashley Lloyd of Santa Cruz a surfer/shaper who seeks out ecologically sustainable materials available in order to perfect her craft. Other women in the film venture well beyond the comfort of their home breaks to the far reaches of the earth (the Yonder), such as Liz Clark who is single handedly sailing around the world in search of waves and new shores. Explosive top professionals, Sofia Mulanovich, Stephanie Gilmore, Silvana Lima, Coco Ho and others travel to Indonesia and showcase their skills on some of the best waves on earth. These women show how far women's surfing has come, but in order to find out from where, the film journeys back in time to uncover the rich history of women's surfing with icons Linda Benson, Rell Sunn, and Lisa Anderson. Dear & Yonder is further enhanced by an insightful animation by artist Lori d. and a skateboarding segment to check in on some serious land shredders. This is but a glimpse into the movie's cast that we have assembled for their skills in the water and their inspiring way of relating to world, each other and themselves.

http://www.dearandyonder.com

Please join us on Saturday October 25th from 6-10 at New Image Art to support this groundbreaking project.

Following the October 25th show, all the artists works will be on view at Mollusk Surf Shop!

Field's Spread

Mr. Kyle Field is featured in the latest issue of The Surfer's Journal (Volume 17 #5). The article is done by Andrew Kidman, just fyi also. Great issue as well overall, check it out!

Locals Only!

Seaworthy

Nathan Oldfeild’s newest, tastiest film, Seaworthy, is having it's long-awaited U.S. premiere Saturday at Shelter in Long Beach. If you have been living under a rock... Roll trailer please!



Also... there's more goodies. Sharing the opening are the works of Ryan Tatar, of 'Shakas and Singlefins'. Going to be a grand gala with these two great gents. Also, there'll be live music by the Tijuana Panthers and... drum roll... free refreshments! Be there.

'One Track Mind' Hits Hard!

Patagonia Cardiff is the place to be! This Saturday night the shop is going to be filled to the brim of persons wanting to take a gander at Chris Malloy’s new film, One Track Mind (previously mentioned as one of the great new Woodshed projects). Gunna be two showings, at 7:30 & 8:45, because of the mass amounts of groms and papis attending. Get there uber early to get a great spot and parking... forget about it. A good time to incorporate public transit into your life. Embrace it! Hope y'all can make it.

Konnichiha! Big News!

They're going international! Mollusk is opening a shop in Tokyo, going to be so sick. Can't wait for more info, so we can all make that journey. Great news! Tokyo won't know what hit 'em!



http://www.mollusksurfshoptky.com/

Pick 'Em Up!

Vans have released these bad boys! I'm getting mine are you getting yours? The Vans Cojo shoe is one of those shoes. Not just for us dirty hippies, but for everyone now. Tread lightly in these ultra soft and cushy desert boots, featuring top quality EVA construction, and a durable Indo crepe rubber outsole. So it's a great shoe with great enviro-undertones as well. Best kicks around!

Innermost Limits of Pure Fun

Innermost Limits Of Pure Fun (intro)


Just the Intro...

(Kind-of just out on DVD) George Greenough, one of surfing's godfathers, edited and shot this great film which chronicles the advancements of the shortboard revolution of the late 60's, 1968 to be exact. This dvd is surfings homage to the first footage from inside the tube, brought to you through what is now coined 'GreenoughVision', great psychedelic art and sick ridin'. Pick it up at your local shop... Please.

Vote the Environment

Not only are we a product of our environment, we are an integral part of it. This statement seems obvious enough, but in our modern culture human beings often feel separate from nature. We see this when we vote: the environment has become only the 10th most important issue on a list after war, healthcare, education and other concerns. As the foundation for all of life and all human endeavors, the environment should be our first and most important consideration.

When you vote for candidates who support environmental programs, such as school gardens, you are not only supporting education, you are supporting better childhood nutrition, and you are reconnecting the next generation of voters to nature. When you vote to improve water and air quality, you are voting to improve human health. When you vote to provide incentives to use renewable energy, you are helping to create jobs and energy independence, in turn making an investment in peace.

When you Vote the Environment, you are not voting for one isolated issue, you are voting for all of the issues on the list. You are casting a positive vote for life on earth.

Read more at Patagonia.com...

Two Birds Flying

Two Birds Fly is finally hatched for all of us to gock at. Two Birds Fly is an organic approach to board building that emphasizes the arts. Duh, its a Mitnik Miller baby?! They strive to use the greenest materials possible to produce a more environmentally friendly surfboard. Each board is hand made / hand drawn and hand glassed by artists and craftsmen. Also got some rad repurposed skateboards as well. Great new site and new artist boards are now up. Scheck it out!

New Heaven

The current gallery up at Mollusk is the graviest gravy! Nat Russell has pulled out all the stops for his "New Heaven" showing. So if you are in by the Bay, drop in to the shop, you won't be disappointed.

To purchase the fab artwork, please call the shop at (415) 564-6300.

Under the Sun

Under the Sun, a Super 16mm documentary about two cultures on Australia's eastern coast, will be showing at 111 Minna Gallery in SF, Saturday September 20th at 7pm.
View Trailer.





Some dates crossed off, just had the viewing at Thalia. Heard it was insane! Props to those who go see the premieres.

New Site

Dr. Fun, Thomas (T-Moe) Campbell, just launched his new site thomascampbell-art.com. . Also, if you've been living under a rock as of late, you might want to also check out his film site at trimyourlifeaway.com. Enjoy!!

Woodshed Films Are Cooking Up Goodies

The upcoming Woodshed Films are extremely stellar and make an anxious viewer drool over what is to come. Not only is T.Moe's "Present" almost ready to open, but "Sliding Liberia" was just released to DVD and a slew of new trailers were just put out on their webpage. As well as trailers for the upcoming "Dear & Yonder" and Kopps' mighty "Displacement", which I personally cannot wait for. And, finally, "One Track Mind" is starting to premiere also. Here is a couple details on when and where: September 13th Orange County Tavern Hosted By Billabong, September 27th Patagonia Store Cardiff, CA., Los Angeles soon to be announced, Ventura soon to be announced, and October 18 Surfing Heritage Museum CA. Fhew... A lot of Woodshed news to throw at you.

Hiatus!

Sorry for the long being-away spell... Much apologies. But am back and vow to feed those of you readers with vast new knowledge of happenings going down in the surf/art community!

Amigos Art Show

Great east coast show. Andy Davis, Jeff Canham, Tyler Warren on May 31, 2008 at Montanaro Designs, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Gerry Lopez Sighting

Come hear Gerry share stories and read from his new book!

The book is "Surf Is Where You Find It", written by surf legend Gerry Lopez, and he will not be at the Cardiff location sharing stories this time, but up north, in San Francisco. I will be on hand for the event, you should be too! In the book Gerry Lopez recounts many, many stories from a lifetime of surfing and adventures. Perhaps more important, he also relates the lessons learned! A super stoke individual, too rare to miss! Here's the info...

May 2
7:00 pm
Book Passage Bookstore
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera
415.927.0960

Bury Me In The Sand

Geoff McFetridge is bringing his show to Mollusk SF, Friday April 25th, from 7-10pm. Great art and a special guest DJ: Trace Marshall. Come out and chill with the lads at Mollusk SF! All Mollusk, all the time!

California Dreams and Realities

Opening Saturday April 19th to Mollusk Venice is "California Dreams and Realities". Showcases include some photos by Deanna Templeton, and paintings by Alexis Amann. Doors open at 7 and goes til 10, with music by The Tyde.

Patagonia Surf 2008

That time of year again. Patagonia surf 2008 is here and chalked full of good schtuff. Check out the new site (linked through wither Men's or Women's Surfing links) and read about Gerry Lopez's new book, "Surf Is Where You Find It", read about Fletcher Chouinard's new board designs, "Sliding Liberia" trailers to watch, and about Jack Johnson's Vote the Environment booths at his tour stops. There is so much here to read and take part in, go see for yourself!

P.S. Great new surf tee site there as well.

The Happening at Bondi

Making it's way around the world, the Happening stopped by Bondi Beach and here's a quick clip (thanks to the guys at Roxy and Quicksilver)... Tokyo is the next stop, coming on April 11th. Look for it!

Thalia Street Art Walk

Laguna's Thalia Shop put on theur first Art Walk last month, and a lot of peeps ended up attending. Artist Mike Kershnar’s work was featured all over the shop, and still are for another short while. There was art in the streets, on the wlass, it was art madness... Props to Thalia for a job well done!

The Happening

It's back!!!



The Happening: Art, Film & Music is heading to Sydney and Tokyo! The world tour will kick off in Sydney at Bondi Openair, Bondi Beach on March 14, 2008. The event will showcase four films including feature Sliding Liberia by Britton Caillouette and Nicholai Lidow and previews by The Malloys, Thomas Campbell and Alex Kopps. There will also be an art and photography exhibition with work by Thomas Campbell, Jeff Canham, Andy Davis, Julie Goldstein, Andrew Kidman, Alex Kopps and more. The musical lineup for the event will be headlined by Matt Costa, with support from Andrew Kidman & Neil Purchase Jr., Will Conner & Dave Rastovich. The festival will continue to Tokyo’s Laforet Museum Harajuku on April 11th, with performances by Matt Costa and Mason Jennings. Wish I could go!

The Happening is presented by Quiksilver, Roxy, Brushfire Records, Woodshed Films & The Surf Gallery. For more info, go to thehappeninglive.com

Great New Things

Just a reminder to check out all of the new Hi Shred videos on vbs.tv. Tyler Manson has made some stellar new epsiodes featuring Thomas Campbell, Dan Malloy, Al Knost, Chris Christenson, and many, many more (for those of you who have not checked out the site lately). On the vbs website, just select "Shows," then select "Hi Shredability." The new blog from Tyler also has moved so check that out as well at: hhalf.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

It's Art!

Art Exhibit
Saturday, March 29
8-10 pm
Patagonia Santa Monica Store
2936 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405



Come out to Patagonia Santa Monica for an art exhibit by the talented group whose designs grace Patagonia T-shirts. These professionals – who also work in pen and ink, handprints, oils, paper cutting and other mediums – include Geoff McFetridge, Jason Munn, Nikki McClure, Jason Stowell, Chris Del Moro, Jeremy Collins, Peter McBride and Kitty Botke. Some of them will be on hand to meet and chat about their work. We’ll be serving refreshments and their art will be available for purchase.

For more information, phone(310)314-1776... See ya there!

What a good friend...

A promotional piece Jeff Canham painted for Jack Johnson's new album on Abbot Kinney street in Venice, California. Pretty Schweet!

The Ron Stoner Show

An exhibition from the legendary lensmen's archives will be at the Mollusk Venice shop from Feb. 23rd to April 20th. The opening party will be on the 23rd from 7 to 10 p.m. Going to be the best eye candy ever! Be there!

(just a picture of the Stoner photo book, pick this up too! So much to do, get on it!)

Mollusk Surf Shop Gallery - Venice, CA
1600 Pacific Ave.

Ether

Ether
A Slide Show & Book Signing by Andrew Kidman (with special guest Richard Kenvin, Benefiting Friends of Rose Canyon)

January 26th at 7 p.m.
Patagonia Cardiff
2185 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Join renowned surf filmmaker, photographer, writer and musician, Andrew Kidman (maker of surf films “Litmus” and “Glass Love”), as he shares photos and stories from “Ether,” his new limited-edition book about board design and designers. This collector’s item will be available for purchase and signing following the show, as will some of Andrew’s photographic prints and art. He will also conduct a drawing for one of his prints with all proceeds benefiting Friends of Rose Canyon.

Special guest, Richard Kenvin, will also join us to screen a short surf film. This is an outdoor event so please dress accordingly. --Phone 760 634 9886 for further details.

Visit http://www.litmus.com.au for more on Andrew Kidman and his films. Go to http://www.hydrodynamica.com for a sneak peek of Richard Kenvin’s current project. And you’ll find Friends of Rose Canyon at http://www.rosecanyon.org.

MLK Day

Poster Renaissance 2

Right now at the New Image Art Gallery in West Hollywood is the "Poster Renaissance 2" exhibit. So Sick! Featured artists include the Date Farmers, Geoff McFetridge, Rich Jacobs, Neckface, Jo Jackson, etc... With music by Party People, it definitely is a good event to check out. The exhibit is from January 5 to February 2, so get over there while you can. New Image always showcases the best so I'm sure the next gallery will be as stellar!

Sliding Liberia

When Dan Malloy came back from Liberia surfers around the office were asking him how the trip was, anxiously hoping to hear about perfect waves. Dan, humble as ever, spoke well of the trip and the waves but you could hear in his voice and see in his eyes that it wasn't a typical surf trip. This one was heavy.

Dan, along with fellow Patagonia ambassador Crystal Thornburg and artist Chris Del Moro, visited Liberia last summer. And this year, we all have the opportunity to share in their experience when the film Sliding Liberia is released. Conceived of by Stanford filmmaker Britton Caillouette and Stanford PhD student Nicholai Lidow, with cinematography by Dave Homcy (Shelter, Brokedown Melody), the film now has an official Web site (be patient with the load time, it's a beautiful site that's worth the wait) and the trip itself has already received quite a bit of attention. Surfing Magazine ran a Lightbox slide show with Dan, Crystal shared some of her thoughts and photos on Mixed Plate Special, even Lonely Planet ran an article on surfing in Liberia.

The following words come from Dan Malloy. He talks about the trip, the country and a photo that was found on the blog Kevin in Liberia showing a board Dan left behind getting some use by the locals...

"Last summer I had a very rare travel opportunity. My cousin Britton has been attending Stanford studying film. There he became good friends with a guy named Nicholia Lidow, a political science major who has focused his studies on the development of nations that are currently experiencing civil war or just very recently experienced a civil war. What that means, in short, is that Nicholia has been spending all of his free time in Liberia. Although Nicholia is very serious about his major and is actively working and studying at all times, he also happens to be a good surfer, and Liberia also happens to have amazing surf.

Very few people have ever surfed the Liberian coastline. With development in Liberia halted by the vicious rule of Charles Taylor, the country has been in the midst of a gruesome civil war for the last 20 years. Under intense pressure on all fronts, Charles Taylor finally resigned. Upon his resignation, the United Nations agreed to occupy Liberia with a plan to reestablish peace. The Liberian people elected Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as their new leader and the U.N. quickly began purchasing guns from Liberian citizens to get them off the street.

Peace came almost overnight. The bombs stopped, the gunshots stopped, the fear of war was finally behind them. The war is over, but Liberia remains one of the poorest nations on the planet. Getting killed is now a worry of the past. The struggle now for the Liberian people, with a completely obliterated system, is to stay alive.


With the war over, Nicholia invited a few of us to experience Liberia with him and his local Liberian friends. He took us on a three week journey that I will never forget. This photo was sent to me almost six months after we returned. It shows a few of the local boys. When we arrived there was only one Liberian surfer named Alfred. Now it looks like there are three. That is my 5'10" Fletcher fun hog fish that I left behind. I am stoked to see that it has been getting some good use."

I'll let ll y'all know as soon as there's a firm release date for Sliding Liberia! Waitings goin to be rough...

Swells of Hope

Another Patagonia Essay from the lady-slider godess Belinda Baggs...



"Face pressed against the glass, I watch as the wind roars down the Kenting street. Sideways rain closes in and distorts my vision. The approaching typhoon brings with it anxiety but, most importantly, hope. I am in the Republic of Taiwan. This lost island paradise is home to 22,894,834 people. In most regions the country’s natural beauty has been traded to the economic devil. Oceans have been overfished; shorelines developed with fish farms and landlocked with seawalls. The beaches that do physically remain untouched are often blanketed with trash. Despite all of the madness and wrongdoing here, there is a small light at the end of a long tunnel.

Hope has arrived to a small group of local Taiwanese surfers and myself; the wind backs away and the sky clears in Taiwan’s first national park. The ocean is a deep shade of chocolate brown but no one’s spirits are dampened. This is one of those moments that we surfers live for: the joy of riding with the best that Mother Ocean has to offer. Outside, a head-high peak twirls left and winds down a perfectly arranged cobblestone point. I stroke into a nicely shaped set. Gliding along, I sweep onto a long wall and flow out onto an open face. Eventually, the wave tapers down and the lip chases me to the finish. I am deposited in the channel and left to rest. This cycle repeats, and countless hours are lost in the moment.

Locals and tourists alike watch in wonderment. Their interest in this instant is what my friends are hoping for: an opportunity for understanding between different ways of life. The message is simple, but hard for people here to comprehend: The ocean is not a wasteland, but a natural playground – respect our seas. The goal of the local Taiwanese surfers is to build awareness through appreciation. I cross my fingers in hopes that they will make a difference."