I was just wondering how many of you have a wall hanger? A board that is hanging or placed somewhere in your abode just for decoration?
Or how many have made a wall hanger? A board intended exclusively or primarily for display?
I make surfboards and am also an artist. I was thinking the other day about my art. I have this “memento mori” philosophy - REMEMBER, YOU MUST DIE. I’ve always thought that an artist should try to make each work as though it was the last work he would make and thus would epitomize his/her life. As I thought about this it came to my mind that maybe a surfboard would be more apt an expression for me than my paintings…
What board would you make if you knew it would be the last board you ever make?
I also started thinking about Surfboard Museums. How many of you have been to one or care to go? What are you looking for? Beauty? History? Would a wall hanger be legitimate for inclusion in a surfboard museum or must the board have been ridden?
Just stuff I’ve been thinking about and would like to hear your thoughts.
I made a board that was intended to be a wall hanger only, and did get some flack for it. Some are of the opinion that a surfboard has to surfed to be what it was fully intended to be.
I disagree. A surfboard is art, ridden or not. I’ve felt that way ever since I saw the first boards I ever laid eyes on back in the '60’s. They were just so beautiful to look at. Sleek and sculptured. Pure function, pure form.
I hope the last board I ever make is wood. There’s just something about the earthy beauty of sculptured wood.
Which reminds me…there are two balsa blanks somewhere in Ecuador soon to be loaded on a ship for me. Woo Hoooo!
I have had many wall hangers, mostly old retired or broken boards. All are art and bring back memories of great waves and surf trips. For the past few years, myself, along with countless other locals and visiting surfers have been donating boards and surfing material to a local surfer that has dedicated his life to preserving the surfing lifestyle in a museum that he built on his property. It is not known of unless you know about it through surfing. No website, no computers, no advertising. All will be welcomed if they find it, just be prepared for a few long stories!
My Dad put up an old Rogers Brothers redwood paddleboard and there it has remained. We also have an old balsa/fiberglass Malibu board hanging up. They’re really beautiful boards and they deserve a wall.
My Dad has a beautiful balsa Hobie. It was his only board when he was young. He said that it was something like the 500th board Hobie ever made. Sadly, he had it re-glassed in about 1972 by Zypher in Venice. It’s never been ridden since. I’m sure the restoration killed the resale and some historic value, but it sure is pretty.
I’ve always believed in a “Ride 'em, don’t hide 'em” philosphy. I’ve been rethinking that philosphy, sure hang one or two up as art, but every once in a while take them for a spin. Just like a car collector should run his vehicles down the road every once in a while, you need to ride them now and again.
I’ve always believed in a “Ride 'em, don’t hide 'em” philosphy.
Agreed. Unless it’s a true museum piece with historical significance, a board should be ridden.
This doesn’t include any newly built boards that are intended as art pieces, of course. The whole collector/investment market has driven prices of vintage boards to where many get dry-docked forever because the owner doesn’t want to risk damage and devaluation. I have two vintage longboards that are worth a fair bit, but I make a point to use them when appropriate.
Then, there’s the hoarders who have too many to be able to ride them all. Shame.
Huck: I shaped it about a year ago. Glassed it 3 months ago and I had to paint it twice with NOVO over the sanded Hot Coat. I dd not want to use pigment because I did not wanted to expose the T-Band Stringer.
I had two Gloss Coats put on it. I wanted it to have a Piano Finish. It was deone just in time for Mothers Day. This is a blackberry photo. Doesn’t do it Justic. I will take a better photo lattter.
Funny that this thread should come up again now. Yesterday and today I finally rode the board I made for an art exhibit, intended as a wall hanger, the “Giant Squid.” Now that the board is no longer “cherry” the next question that came to mind this morning was- do I ride it at First Point…with no leash?
i have a few highly collectable vintage boards that worth a pritty penny that do hang up on the wall at my place but when there are not too many people out and the surf is good there is no other boards that i would rather ride, i think sure hang em up but you still need to ride them every now and then to keep thier spirit alive
Since I live far from the ocean at the moment, and the garage is my workshop with no board storage space…all my personal boards are wallhangers (really, wall leaners) until I take them surfing again. Certainly act as conversation pieces when people come over and see boards in the living room.
One of the great things about wood boards is that they are beautiful even with wax on the deck!
I have done a bunch of gallery and museum shows with my boards. I shape them same as my customs though, meant to be riden. Surfboards are functional art pieces. Hang them on the wall if you want, but take them down when the waves are up.
