Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has recently collaborated with Sk8room to produce a range of high-end skate decks. Each of these skate decks is priced at $1,013.
Sk8room has collaborated with other artists in the past including KAWS, Jeff Koons and NIGO. The Ai Weiwei collection features imagery of some of Weiwei's most popular installations: sunflower seeds and ceramic crabs. Each piece of artwork is also accompanied with a statement that helps to explain the motive behind each piece. The first 25 boards come with a certificate hand-signed by Weiwei. There will be a limit of 150 production pieces and 20% of the decks' proceeds go to Skateistan (a non-profit NGO geared toward youth education and skateboarding).
These hand design pieces -- while fully functional -- should certainly be treated as collector pieces.
Luxe Skateboard Decks
The Ai Weiwei Sk8room 2013 Skateboards are a Work of Functional Art
Trend Themes
1. High-end Skate Decks - The collaboration between Sk8room and Ai Weiwei showcases a trend of producing luxury skate decks with intricate designs.
2. Artistic Collaborations - Sk8room's previous collaborations with renowned artists like KAWS, Jeff Koons, and NIGO indicate a trend of partnering with artists to create unique skateboard designs.
3. Skateboarding for Social Causes - The proceeds from the Ai Weiwei skate decks going to Skateistan highlight a trend of using skateboarding as a means to support non-profit organizations focused on youth education.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Retail - The production of high-end skate decks by Sk8room and Ai Weiwei creates a disruptive innovation opportunity in the luxury retail industry, offering skateboard collectors a unique and valuable product.
2. Art and Design - The collaborations between Sk8room and renowned artists present an opportunity for the art and design industry to explore new avenues for artistic expression through functional pieces like skateboard decks.
3. Non-profit and Education - Skateboarding's role in supporting organizations like Skateistan shows the potential for disruption in the non-profit and education sectors, utilizing alternative activities to engage and empower young individuals.