Marlon Lindsey skates in an empty parking lot near Main Street as Taryn Ward films, Rochester NY. May 6, 2014
Brian Potter (left) and Lucas Costa (right), son of Aaron Costa the owner of Krudco Skate Shop, sit out front of Krudco Skate Shop as the sun sets on Howell Street, Rochester NY. Aug 6, 2014 The skate shop doesn’t simply serve as a retail center, but also doubles as a community space for skateboarders.
Adam Ruster’s recently painted skateboard lays in the ally next to Krudco Skate Shop, Rochester NY. May 1, 2014
Dane Varalli (right) waits for friends and animals to clear off his ramp so he can skate, Rochester NY. Apr 17, 2014 Dane and his roommate Anthony Ferrari had built the ramp out of scrap wood in their backyard so they could throw parties and skate with their friends at home.
A group of skateboarders hang out and skate in an abandoned pool, Ithaca NY. Sep 14, 2014
Garrett sits at the edge of an abandoned pool, Albany NY. Jul 7, 2014
Brian Potter (left) and Anthony Ferrari (right) drink together at a party, Rochester NY. Sep 27, 2014
Evan Dow holds a magazine page up to mimic the look of wearing a thong in his living room, Rochester NY. Jul 20, 2014
Evan Dow gently holds a baby bird in his hands out front of his home on Oxford Street, Rochester NY. May 30, 2014 He had found the bird in his driveway early in the morning and upon finding it later in the day he decided to try and take care of it, naming it Taylor.
Adam Ruster (left) and Mark Vanatta (right) wade in the shallows of Lake Burden near Albany NY. Jul 27, 2014 After hours spent unsuccessfully trying to drain an abandoned pool, the group of skaters resorted to swimming in the lake and exploring the area rather than skating.
Maplewood
I remember when I first started skating I didn’t much care for the nuances involved with the production of a quality skateboard. As long as it didn’t break under my feet, it didn’t really matter. But after a few years I started hanging around the local skate shop more and more, and it was there I learned that sturdy quality skateboard decks are made from hard rock maple, anything else just doesn’t compare. I found myself paying attention to the little details in every skateboard deck; I wanted to know where it was made, the feel of its concave, the shape of its nose and tail, and of course, the wood that made up its veneers. I found that, though they seem miniscule, all of these things really make a difference in how skateboarding feels. But as I spent more time with these little details another question arose on its heels; if these are the aspects that make a skateboard, then what are the aspects that make a skateboarder? That’s the question I’ve sought to answer in this project; this is my effort to find the bits of Maplewood scattered throughout my own skateboarding community in Rochester New York.
With the work, I’ve designed and printed a zine that delves deeper into the aspects of the culture. The zine is on display at the First Comes Trust exhibition and available for purchase.
Roles: Photographer