Mattia De Benedictis is an artist part of our PhotoVogue Community. In this project he portrays skaters from Barcelona, who created a small community, shaping a new concept of “home” in public spaces where everyone is welcomed and supported.
“To live is to be everywhere at home,” said Ugo La Pietra, an Italian architect and artist. From benches to empty swimming pools, from suburbs to underground parking lots, to seaside skateparks: appropriating the urban fabric is a way of living even more strongly.
The habitués of Marbella-Skatepark (BCN) seem like a perfect micro-community, where support and gratitude pervade every moment. A casual lightness is marked by the sound of wheels – as they ride the concrete as if it were a wall of water – by the tricks and crumpled cans.
Every movement on or off the board is essential to understand its meaning: it is a rite of passage marked by dusty hands and lost carefreeness. It is the subculture that becomes culture. It is fashion that stays outside while only the need to act, and a sunset, remain. It is self-realization.
As Iggy Pop said in “Success,” “I’m gonna go out on the street and do anything I want… Oh, shit!”
