On this episode of The Swell Season Surf Podcast Art & Design Series with Chris Coffin and Chris Labzda: They sit down with Alex Weinstein; surfer, sculptor, painter, writer, musician, and filmmaker. Not to be nailed down as a creator within any one medium, Alex discusses the vein that runs through all of his creative disciplines. Alex discusses his broad range of creative influences from John McCracken, James Turrell, Mark Rothko, and Vincent VanGogh to Dinosaur Junior! California based with East Coast roots, Alex’s work has been exhibited throughout California as well as New York, France, England, Australia, Japan and Brazil. His work has been both featured and reviewed in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Art in America, and the Los Angeles Times. Alex is also a consistent contributor to The Surfer’s Journal and is currently featured in the current issue of TSJ in a spot called “The Hiline.” he Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com
On this week’s installment of Swell Season Surf Radio: The Art and Design Series, Chris Labzda and Chris Coffin sit down with Jon Baylor; Surfer, Ceramicist, and Curator of the recently opened exhibition “Rising Tide: Reflections of Surf Art and Culture” at The Jamestown Arts Center in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Baylor, of Wakefield, RI,has been a mainstay in the south county surf community for over 15 years and collaborates with his wife, Ashley, in their studio practice and business, Salt Pond Pottery. Baylor’s aesthetic sensibilities are broad in scope; inspired by the conflation of organic forms and industrial structures. Baylor is equally inspired by honeycombs, board shapers and the systems theory and architecture of Buckminster Fuller. The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.
On the latest installment of our Art & Design Series, Chris Labzda and Chris Coffin talk with Artist & Restaurateur Scott Szegeski. Scott is a New Jersey-based surfer and artist who is known for his gyotaku art and surf-inspired interpretations of Japanese printing. Szegeski presents a unique blend of traditional Japanese printmaking, surf culture and history, mixed with travel nostalgia through as seen through the eyes of an avid surfer and cultural entrepreneur. After years printing a variety of his own surfboards while working in his family’s restaurant group, requests for Szegeski’s gyotaku prints from local surfers and galleries gained momentum. Those looking to carve out a memory in time of their favorite surfboard sought-out Szegeski’s work inspired by a century’s old Japanese fish printing process. It’s a fascinating conversation on process, surfing and surf history. Swell Season Surf Radio is produced by the NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Podcast Network.
On this episode of Swell Season, we are turning the tables on our regular art and design host Chris Coffin. This episode is hosted by new contributor Mimi Roterman, and she is joined by former guest and artist Kris Chatterson in what we are dubbing the 'car park' episode: a continuation of an after-surf chat from the week before. Chris Coffin’s visual and performative pieces, as well as his creative processes, anchor the conversation as he intimately shares how his experiences as an lifelong open-water swimmer and surfer are throughlines within his highly varied portfolio. The conversation turns down many different avenues, including the topic of the sacredness within gallery spaces that often feel similar to the contemplative experiences of being in the water, and the effect of the pandemic on the artistic process. We encourage you to explore Chris coffin’s work found on his website at www.chriscoffin.com and on Instagram. He will be showing his new work at the 'Here Comes the Sun' exhibition at the Ursa Gallery in Bridgeport, CT from April 24th. Swell season is recorded by the News Stand Studio in Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by WAX.Radio
Benjamin Sargent the “Brooklyn Chowder Surfer” , aka. “Dr. Klaw”, is an American celebrity chef,[1] restaurateur, television personality, performance artist, author, designer, owner of Hurricane Hopeful in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and is now the owner of Bent Apple Farms in Vermont. You might remember him from his appearances on the Food Network& Cooking Channel. In this episode of Swell Season's Art & Design Series with Chris & Chris, Ben take's a hilarious walk down culinary lane and the infancy of hipster culture and the gentrification of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Ben talks with us about his roots in New England, the definition of chowder, the creation of a variety of business, his close relationship with the infamous, “Dr.Klaw”, The “Underground Lobster Pound”, and the legendary, “Hurricane Hopeful.” This is a hilarious and insightful installment full of stinky clams, lobster tails, steamers, beer, and long boards on the subway out to Rockaway! Grab your spoon and dive into this chowder full of mouth watering nautical tales fueled by urban surf vibes! Follow us on Instagram @swellseasonsurf Swell Season Surf Radio is recorded by The Newsstand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by WAX.Radio.
California born and bred, Kassia Meador began surfing at age 14. By 17-years-old, Kassia was a sponsored pro-longboarder, traveling the world. Known for her graceful surf style, Kassia was crowned the "queen of noseriding" by the New York Times and in 2011 ranked 2nd on the WSL women's longboard tour.Throughout her career as a competitive sponsored athlete, Kassia was actively involved in designing products under the umbrella of her sponsors. In 2013, Kassia left sponsored surfing to build a brand--that focused on quality instead of quantity, working towards more conscious solutions rather than contributing to the larger global issues.In 2015 she launched KASSIA+SURF, a brand for women by women with design rooted in authenticity gained through 23 years experience. She is our guest on this episode of the Swell Season Art & Design Series with Chris & Chris. We dive into her career, her experiences with building an ethical brand and becoming a sound healer. We hope you enjoy!
Thomas Campbell's the "Seedling"was a view of the alternative surfing culture during a time when Professional competitive surfing was the norm. This film was both influential and prescient of boards, culture and things to come in surfing. He eventually followed it up with Sprout and then The Present. All documenting and influencing the growing strain of surf culture that rides anything but the standard shortboard. Outside of Surf / Skate Culture, Thomas is an acclaimed painter, sculpture, photographer, and maker of things. Mounting solo exhibitions in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Denmark, The Netherlands, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Morocco. He is also affiliated with the Beautiful Losers collective, an art movement inspired by street art, punk, and hip hop. On the latest Swell Season Art & Design Series, Chris & Chris catch up with Thomas Campbell to discuss his work, life, history and politics... This is a must listen episode... Enjoy!
On this episode of Swell Season Surf Radio, we continue our Art & Design series with Chris & Chris. They dive deep with legendary NY photographer Mike Nelson. If there was ever a NY Surfing Hall of Fame, Mike Nelson would be one of the first inductees. He’s documented NY surfing for over 30 years and has helped shape surf culture and community with Unsound Surf their years of organizing professional surf contests and surf movies. If you surf NY, you should give this a listen. It’s a fantastic interview and we’re stoked to bring it to you!
Farmhaus is the one man furniture studio of Ben McBrien based in the Kensington neighborhood of Philly. Ben McBrien is also a former New Jersey Pro surfer who always seems to be in contention for wave of the winter. On the latest Swell Season Art & Design Series, Chris & Chris catch up with Ben to discuss his transition from professional surfer to high end craftsman who takes reclaimed wood and designs them into gorgeous furniture and art pieces. Ben opens up about what inspired him to pursue his craft and the lessons learned along the way. Enjoy!
On this episode of Swell Season Surf Radio, we continue with our Art & Design Series with Chris Coffin & Chris Labzda. Chris & Chris had the opportunity to interview multi media artist, Ashley Bickerton. This conversation is pure GOLD! Ashley goes into detail about his upbringing in Hawaii, surfing pipeline with some legendary and great surfers, surf culture, his trajectory as an artist as he navigated the decadent 80's art boom in NYC, to his rejecting of the art scene and travelling to Brazil, and finally to Bali. We dive into how his creative process is influenced by surfing and his nomadic lifestyle and how his approach to the contemporary art scene is certainly not the predictable path. This interview is a wild ride! It's a voyeuristic view into the New York art world and reads like Alan Weisbecker's "In Search of Captain Zero." All this and more!
On this episode of Swell Season, we kick off our new Art & Design series with contributors Christopher Labzda & Christopher Coffin and their interview with artist and Hull aficionado Kris Chatterson. The Swell Season Art & Design Series is an exploration of the arts with a surfy lens. Both contributors Chris Coffin & Chris Labzda aim to have in-depth conversations with artists and creatives about their art, their processes and how surfing helps to shape their outlook in the creative world. This first episode is with Mr. Chatterson, born in Orlando Fl. He has spent the past ten years working between Los Angeles and New York and now resides in Rhode Island. His most recent exhibitions venues include: Jeff Baley Gallery, Asya Geisberg Gallery, Lesley Heller Workspace and Feature Inc. in New York. Western Project and Summer Camp Project Project in Los Angele. Dorsch Gallery in Miami and Laroche/Joncas in Montreal. Kris opens up about his creative process, influences, and how surfing has played a role in his career. Kris is also known for his instagram account @hulloholic and sure delivers in this interview.