Steve Rodriguez on Barbara Kruger's Installation at L.E.S. Skatepark for the Performa 17 Biennial

NEW YORK SKATE LEGEND AND LONGTIME VOLCOM AMBASSADOR, STEVE RODRIGUEZ, ON THE UPCOMING BARBARA KRUGER L.E.S. SKATEPARK INSTALLATION FOR THE PERFORMA 17 BIENNIAL

Steve was recently approached by Performa to work on an installation at the L.E.S. skatepark as part of Performa’s commission and design collaboration with the renowned artist, Barbara Kruger. The installation at the popular park located beneath the Manhattan Bridge is part of the Performa 17 Biennial, set to take place November 1–19, 2017 at locations throughout New York City.

Barbara Kruger

Untitled (Your body is a battleground), 1989

For the past four decades, Barbara Kruger has been employing media effects and strategies to create her own political, and social messages around consumerism, mass media, and feminism on billboards, buses, newspapers, buildings, and parks. Her instantly recognizable—and frequently appropriated—visual style of delivering highly charged, terse phrases in white Futura Bold font over red blocks has radiated its influence on other visual artists, graphic design, street culture, skate fashion, and will now fill the interior of this iconic skatepark.

Barbara Kruger

I shop therefore I am, 1990

Steve who redesigned the L.E.S. skatepark in 2012 – a dream come true for him – shares his thoughts on the intersection of skateboarding and art as it relates to inclusivity across race, gender, and socioeconomic status as well as his hopes for the influence Barbara’s artwork will have on skaters and people documenting themselves at the park.

“Skateboarders document what they’re doing, what they’re skating, what they’re learning... I truly believe that anybody who will be skating at L.E.S. while her installation is up will have a different background that will not only cause a different perspective, but will tie her artwork to what they’re doing and how they’re expressing themselves.”

For further details on the Performa 17 Biennial and the events that will unfold throughout New York City beginning next week, visit “The Drop” to learn more and get your tickets to Barbara Kruger’s first live performance.