Skateboarding Is Blankable: an exhibition of custom skateboards

By Decathlon Skateboarding

August 11^th, 2022

What is a blank?

A blank is the starting point for the construction of a skateboard. It consists of 7 maple plies that have been glued together and then pressed for about ten minutes in a mold using a hydraulic press. At the exit of the mould we obtain a rectangle in which we cut a skateboard. It's wood, it's beautiful and it's above all the perfect blank page to let your imagination run free.

Skateboarding Is Blankable: an exhibition of custom skateboards

The origin of this exhibition

The idea of this exhibition started two years ago when we were moving into our new offices. While doing some cleaning we came across about thirty blanks. Instead of throwing them away we thought it would be more interesting to give them a second life.

At the same time the European Custom Board Show was taking place at the Condition Publique in Roubaix. The ECBS organized by the association Chalk is one of the biggest custom board event in the world. Over 250 custom boards made by more than 55 artists from all over the world were exhibited.

The links between Chalk and the Decathlon Skateboarding teams are numerous. Tommy, artistic director of the brand, had already exhibited some of his works during the previous edition at the Halles St Géry in Brussels and Arthur, part of the communication team of Decathlon Skateboarding, worked closely with Chalk to organize the 2021 edition of the ECBS at the Condition Publique.

Second edition of the exhibition is taking place at the Grand Playground

The first edition of Skateboarding Is Blankable took place in front of our office at the BTWIN Village in Lille. This time the exhibition is taking place at the Grand Playground in the Tanneurs gallery in the center of Lille.

The Skateboarding Is Blankable exhibition gathers 25 blanks customized by 25 artists. We gave no instructions to the participating artists, all techniques were welcome. Between engraving, illustration, painting, graffiti or marquetry, the artists explore multiple techniques, blurring the lines between sport and art. Some of the works in the exhibition are created by Decathlon employees who exercise their artistic fiber in side projects.

When: Until September 10. The exhibition is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. A live customization session will take place on the weekend of the Braderie in early September.

Where: Grand Playground, 17 Rue du Sec-Arembault, 59000 Lille

An overview of the boards visible at the exhibition 👀

An exhibition in partnership with the NGO Free Movement Skateboarding

This exhibition is organized in partnership with Free Movement Skateboarding (FMS), an Athens-based NGO that we have been supporting for over a year.

FMS organizes skateboarding sessions all over the city thanks to a mobile skatepark they built. They work with youth in local projects, schools and mainly in refugee camps using skateboarding as a tool for inclusion, cohesion and personal development. They create safe spaces during workshops and sessions. These are open to all, regardless of gender, sexuality, nationality, religion or social background. Since 2017, FMS has delivered 750 sessions across 18 locations to 2300 young people. They have worked with 57 different nationalities or ethnic groups with 39% participation by girls.