Ryan Townley is a figurehead in the world of skateboarding, but his collage art is where he is most self-critical: āSometimes when Iāve created art and posted it, itās a bit of imposter syndrome," he says. "Youāre like, do people actually like this or is it just because I skateboard?āā
ā
Townley makes his collages out of old magazines he finds from thrift stores and yard sales ā and his designs are now iconic at Welcome Skateboards, a US-based skateboard deck brand. In our next episode of Let It Kill You, we meet up with Ryan Townley, to get insights into his artistic background, childhood experiences, and skateboarding career. Additionally, we hear from his close circle about his decisions to pursue professional skateboarding and fine art.ā
ā
āHeās one of the icons of the brand at this point,ā says Jason Celaya, owner of Welcome Skateboards. āAll of us want to make a mark on skateboarding and he embodies that.āā
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/sxc7Y2nYyTI
Krishna heads to Washington DC to find out how partial pot legalization works and then to Amsterdam to see how decades of weed tolerance, not full legalization, has played out. - https://youtu.be/rg0wE3lx4f4
There's a race to save a dozen small cetaceans, the last in the world of their species. They're caught as bycatch in nets set to trap a fish with a huge demand in China. Two key towns in this region, San Felipe and Santa Clara, rely almost entirely on fishing shrimp and local fish. Times are perpetually challenging, but engaging in illicit totoaba fishing can yield a substantial paycheck. Can anything be done? - https://youtu.be/UfBI4xJIp-w
āYouāre never gonna make 100% cool ****, like thatās ******* the nature of it. But we try,ā
Watch the first episode of 'Let it Kill You' featuring Mike āLottieā Gigliotti here: https://youtu.be/-ETzDvqPIJQ
Can the booming business of marijuana become the first gender-equal industry? - https://youtu.be/k4qt3o2gS2w
Created by Ben McQueen and produced by Trevar Cushing, Let It Kill You is named after the famous Bukowski quote about finding the thing you love and then letting it drive you into the grave. The series is a suitably intense examination of the nexus between skateboarding and art, and the first episode is a deep dive into the career of Mike Gigliotti. - https://youtu.be/-ETzDvqPIJQ
From classic video parts to epic meltdowns, few skaters have the same power, focus, and dedication as AVE. On this episode of Epicly Later'd, we explore the legendary career of Anthony Van Engelen. -https://youtu.be/v3tggnHY0bM
This episode of 'Let it Kill You' delves into the story behind Lottieās Skateshop, exploring Mike Gigliottiās unparalleled approach to his craft and providing an in-depth look at his journey to becoming one of the most recognizable skate artists of our time. - https://youtu.be/-ETzDvqPIJQ
Torture is illegal under international law, yet it is pervasive and practiced in nearly every region of the world. In this episode of Informer, we speak to a clinician who helps torture victims put their lives back together again.
- https://youtu.be/-5pejNbwyRI
Tattoo artist and skateboarder Ben McQueen was always going to feature Mike Gigliotti in the first episode of his new VICE series, Let It Kill You, which airs May 28th. Based on McQueenās 2022 photo book of the same name, and blurring a day-in-the-life style with that of Epicly Laterād, the series will chart the creative union between skating and art as seen through the lives and careers of heavyweights in the space. Gigliotti, or Lottie, was high up on the list because A. heās a good friend of McQueenās, but B. heās a constant fountain of artistic output, and his skate shop, Lotties, was a huge deal for the LA skate community and beyond.
Born in San Francisco, brought up in Santa Monica, Gigliotti was always obsessed with skateboarding. When he left home for New York, he increasingly involved himself in DIY art: T-Shirts, flyers, zines. Itās his link up with pro skaters Kevin āSpankyā Long and Andrew Reynolds, the founder of iconic skateboard brand, Baker, for which Gigliottiās artwork has been most widely seen.
Baker, the office of which has a skate park inside of it, has proved to be a fruitful link up for Gigliotti: Heās worked on their skate deck designs for years, in turn becoming a crucial creative cog in the companyās visual output. āHe is Baker,ā Reynolds says in the latest episode of Let It Kill You. āWe could do five brands with what he provides each season,ā Long says.
What comes across clear as day is Gigliottiās love of the brand ā that started as a pre-teen when he ran into Reynolds skating in front of the Santa Monica courthouse. Reynolds, already a famous skateboarder, was using a Baker board, the company having just launched.
āYouāre never gonna make 100% cool ****, like thatās ******* the nature of it. But we try,ā Gigliotti says of the Baker boards.
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/-ETzDvqPIJQ
All the good stuff.
Enlightening commentary, authoritative advice, and unique stories you won't find anywhere else. Our immersive and ground-breaking storytelling has changed the way people think about culture, crime, art, parties, fashion, protest, the internet and other subjects that don't even have names yet. Browse the library and discover corners of the world you never knew existed.
All video licensing inquiries should be directed to licensing @ vice.com.