8/30/10 — Brea Art Gallery holds about five exhibits during the year. From August 7 to September 10, “surf + skate = culture” showcases the impact of surfing and skateboarding on contemporary society through artifacts and art.
“Skating and especially, surfing has a much different meaning now than before,” Christina Hasenberg, Exhibition Coordinator, said. “This gallery is used to show people how much skating and surfing has changed over the years.”
The exhibit presents surfing history from the 1920s when surfboards were made from redwood and balsa and swim shorts were made from wool. In the 1940s, surfboards were made from a more variety of materials such as Styrofoam, balsa, plywood, and resin, and swim shorts were made with synthetic fibers. Entering the 1950s, cotton, nylon, latex, and plastic were used to make swim shorts. In addition, surfboards evolve as colorful and v-shaped to minimize friction with water.
The original skateboards from the 1960s and 1970s were vastly different from skateboards today. The old skateboards were poor quality and often made out of cheap plastic. The new skateboards such as from Tony Hawk Corporation are more reliable, substantial skateboards.
By exhibiting the history of surfing and skateboarding, the gallery offers the public a place to understand the development of surfing and skateboarding and the impact it has on our culture and society today.
