How Many Dreams in the Dark? My life on the road with the legends of snowboarding. by chris brunkhart
That’s quite the lengthy title but it suits the length and depth of his career. The other day i received word that Chris Brunkhart has made his goal of raising 5,000 dollars to publish his book.
“I have been photographing for over 25 years. Starting my career at a newspaper in Chicago and eventually found my home in Portland. Around 1991 I got involved in snowboarding in its infancy. Becoming a senior photographer for Snowboarder and Transworld magazines, I shot with Craig Kelly, Jamie Lynn Terje Haakonsen and Matt Donahue and host of others from all around the world.
I have seen 6 continents, finding the beauty not only in the mountains but in the people I’ve met, the cities I’ve visited and the culture I’ve encountered. I helped found The Movement Snowboards and Frequency magazine. In 1996 I published “The Creedle Chronicles” with Volcom, and 3 years later released the cult snowboard movie, “The Walrus Dreams.” Currently working on my book, “How Many Dreams In the Dark?” to be released this fall, and continuing to shoot near my home in Sandpoint, Idaho.”
The book is going to print in 3 weeks so keep an eye out and get yourself a piece of snowboard history. In the meantime check out Transworld Snowboarding’s interview with him.
AIGA Tours Nemo
Thanks for the wonderful tour! The AIGA artists had some thoughtful questions and the nemo crew had some great insight into the world of design/photo/web and job hunting.
Thanks again!
Studio Nemo Got a New Intern! Meet Jordan Lutes.
Heres a quick interview I conducted digitally with the young and talented Jordan Lutes who happens to be sitting in his posturepedic computering chair about 4 ft to my right…aaah technology. George Orwell called it….who needs to speak when we can just i chat!
But the story is, I snatched up this young man from Cali the day he graduated from Cal Poly and managed to sweet talk him into moving up north to continuously clean up the whirlwind of mess that is left behind as we power through shoot after shoot. He’s been here a few short weeks and I already don’t know what i ever did without him. *shout out to Jordan’s parents….he’s killing it.
So Jordan, first things first, have you ever buried anything?
No. What a creepy question.
Really nothing at all? Weird, i bury stuff all the time.
Really?
Of course, i thought everyone did! Ok here’s one every guy has a messed up answer to…Best fireworks story?
Two years ago I was in Pamplona, Spain for the running of the bulls. We figured the festival was small, and were completely overwhelmed when we got off the bus into a chaotic town. We’d had a pretty shit trip so far: no surf, rain everyday, missed our train from Paris, and no word from our contact in Spain. But just as we’d pretty much given up, a giant bang goes off, and an insane fireworks show starts shooting out of the town moat right next to us. The Spanish weren’t too impressed, but we were stoked, it ended up being a crazy night.
*side note: a kid got gored by a bull the day after we ran.
See i called it! Messed up!!!! Wait you actually ran?!
That’s a long story consisting of bulls, booze, no sleep, cops and combat boots. We’ll save that story for a later date.
I can’t wait to hear…next question. What moment in history would you want to shoot, and why?
Can I say dinosaurs? Put me in one of those jeeps from Jurassic park and I’d be happy.
Well, then this question seems to pale in comparison to dinosaurs and Jurassic Park: but who are your favorite photographers and why?
Anyone that can really capture youth in motion. Dewey Nicks and Embry Rucker were the first guys to really get me inspired and amped to get into surf lifestyle, they could really make it all look like a paradise. Neil Krug nails the whole expired film thing. Same goes for Ryan Tatar, dude can tell a story with a single Polaroid better than anyone else. Steve Sherman and Jack English’s black and white portraits were iconic to me- there’s a shot of Donovan that I’ve had taped to my wall since before I could surf.
I concur, all amazing lensmen. Now, on to a more pressing question what’s more important, wind or lettuce?
My two worst enemies. But I guess no wind equals no waves.
Excellent deduction my young friend “All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.”! Finally the greatest question of them all, how did you learn about Nemo?
Originally from the credits in Afterbang back in like 2002. Eight years later, I’m getting ready to graduate from Cal Poly and saw a piece in PDN about Nemo. Noticed they were shooting a lot of stuff that I liked for a lot of clients that I liked. So I sent Kari Rowe an email, just to see what the studio was all about. A few weeks later I picked up a 5mm hooded wetsuit and got up to Portland to be the new photo intern.
Thanks for the info Jordan! Welcome to Nemo!
I will be waiting for the running of the bulls story!
Undertow “testing the waters” Art Opening
If you weren’t here for the Undertow art opening on Friday you missed one awesome party! But the show will be up all week so come on in and check it out. Enjoy the video!
Undertow “Testing The Waters” from alex mertz on Vimeo.
Awesome Interview with Brain Farm
As I’m sure you are all familiar with the pseudo recent epic snowboard documentary That’s It That’s All, by Travis Rice and Curt Morgan. The man’s quiver is extensive and his films are impressive. Watch more of his work, online at the creators project or check out brain farm, his website.
The NEW Michael Cogliantry!
He has done it! Officially made his website a-new. His work always has amazing personality and a sense of fun; to give us a hint of the fun his shoots really are he give us as much behind the scenes action as he can! His new site is not only easy to navigate but its set up in blog format so we get a fresh update as soon as he can show us! Michael, we will continue to enjoy your amazing website.
Here’s a job he did for bell with Studio Nemo. See I told you…fun!
Bell One Step Behind the Scenes Video from Michael Cogliantry on Vimeo.
Join US for 180 South
The awesomeness is flying in today!
Watch the 180 South teaser here!
Chris Malloy’s 180º South made its world premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Fest, and now the boys are taking the show on the road. Starting this Saturday in San Diego, please join us for any of the upcoming premieres and stick around for some Q&A with the Malloys and Jeff Johnson… plus a musical performance by special guest Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Tickets and showtimes at woodshed.com.
Mark Warren Jacques & Seth Neefus’ Traveling Art Show
Yesterday evening i received a wonderful surprise….a Mr Seth Neefus, he was making his rounds promoting his new traveling art exhibit Free Life Center. Which launches this Wednesday – May 26th – 8PM at the Holocene - 1001 SE Morrison – Portland, OR – 97214. Entry is $5 – All proceeds benefit Free Life Center’s west coast tour.
For just 5 bones you are sure to be entertained with enchanting musical performances by Inside Voices, E.B. Harris & the Afterlife Revival, Pioneer, Tasche de la Rocha, Weaver, & The Old Friend Band. I’m sure I will see you there!
Heres some more info on the tour and exhibit:
Hello Friends,
The time has finally come for us to hit the road with Free Life Center. Its an exciting time. We have almost three months of
exhibitions planned, that will take us from Vancouver B.C to San Diego with stops all along the way. Its sure to be an amazing journey.
And so it is with complete joy that we invite you and all your friends to the Free Life Center launch party. This magic send off will include the unveiling of the Free Life Center structure, exhibited for the first time in its fully realized form, complete with art, video, color, sound, and love.
The night also marks the release of Free Life Journal – Entry two -Building, a new publication documenting the construction of the structure. Produced in collaboration with the independent publishing house Container Corps.
The Anguish of Chernobyl By Jim Krantz
“The Anguish of Chernobyl”, a look at Jim Krantz’s documentary project in the “Forbidden Zone” and the village” inhabitants occupying the forgotten and overlooked world they survive in.
A stunningly beautiful essay by Photographer Jim Krantz. For those of you unfamiliar with the Chernobyl disaster, it was what is considered one of the worlds worst nuclear power plant accidents. Back in 1986, there was a reactor meltdown and the power plant caught fire which sent a plume of nuclear smoke over large parts of Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe as well as the Soviet Union. 60% of the fall out landed in Belarus. As you can imagine this caused a major evacuation and deterioration of the civilization. Chernobyl Ukraine is now considered one of the most radioactive places on the planet.
Although the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and certain limited areas remain off limits, the majority of affected areas are now considered safe for settlement and economic activity, however due to the fear of exposure those areas remain nearly desolate.
Vice also did an awesomely entertaining piece in The Vice Guide to Travel on the radioactive land of Chernobyl…watch it below.
Insane Jail Sentence For Street Artist “poster boy”
Poster Boy is a New York City based street artist. By using a razor, Poster Boy slices up advertisements in the subway system to create completely original works of art. Due to the illegal nature of his work, Poster Boy remains anonymous. Well, anonymous until the recent events involving the young artist being sentenced to nearly a year in prison! Read more on the scorned judge who passed this rediculious verdict! Come on! I cant believe its a crime to make harmless art and have some fun with our surroundings by reconstructing the visual stimulants that are constantly forced upon us!
If you missed it…
Our April First Friday show was a hit. Tyler Kolhoff showed his fantastic photography and the installation collaboration with Justin Gorman was incredible, as well. Special thanks go out to musical guests Guidance Counselor and Breakfast Mountain. Here is a sneak peak into Exhibit A. Come by for more…
In the Studio…
I had a visit from the lovely ladies of Hello Artists last week. It’s about time the NW has a home base for global talent! I got to meet and look through Marissa Kaiser’s books. I love her energy and subtle storytelling.
Another tiny wonder…
Olivia Bee Photography has shot for Converse and has some magazine covers under her belt already, and she is only 15. (record scratches, back up, rewind) 15 FIFTEEN. Yep. Holy cow. I’m speechless.
Ummm, yeah….
So, I wish I had myself even a 1/8th as much together at 17 as this kid. HOLY %$((#$%&($#&%!!! Mike Bailey Gates, you are super cool. Can I meet your parents? Do they have a book on how to raise a super creative, driven, savvy kid? Do you want to come work for me?
Cole’s exploding!
Our awesome friend, Cole Barash, has done it again. I am impressed, not only by his amazing photography, but also by his ever evolving level of production. Cole has never been one to shy away from BIG ideas. At 21, he is simply the best snowboard photographer shooting. I think he’s ready to break that mold, now. Enjoy this behind the scenes video from his latest antics… (at my home mountain, none the less)
These Americans
These amazing photos are documentary images from a project called These Americans which is a collection of archival footage between 1950 and 1980.
Proud to present….
Here at Studio Nemo we are proud, proud, proud to present the work we’ve been doing over the summer months. I travelled with an amazing crew of Nemo, Nike and Selby folks to NYC, New Jersey, Duluth, Tahiti, Florida and Georgia to capture this year’s Nike 6.0 apparel campaign on film. Todd Selby has incredible style and was great at getting Nike 6.0′s athletes to take us deeper into their everyday lives. Thank you to everyone who was involved. Check out The Selby and his post about the shoots. It’s amazing- Videos, interviews and photos from all the athletes.
Art show tonight! Don’t miss it!
The unbelievable duo that is N + A will exhibit their installations and launch their latest books this evening at Nemo Design. Come by, have a drink and be amazed.
Pete Seeger Goodness!
The most amazing videos of Pete Seeger’s Rainbow Quest show are up on youtube. Amazing stuff! How could it not be with that name!
MFNW is amazing!
If you haven’t already partaken of the festivities the past two days, start now and don’t stop! MFNW is killing it. I saw one of the best shows of my life last night. The Dirty Three played an amazing show. I’m convinced that Warren Ellis, Jim White, and Mick Turner are the holy trinity. It was incredible. I didn’t have my camera so I’m going to share some lovely photos from Green Man blog that capture the ball of energy that is Warren Ellis.
Tonight Pink Mountaintops!!!!!!!!!! I won’t forget the camera.
Nemo Gallery Shows Trending Rock Art
Two of our lovely artists from previous show are featuring their work on album covers this month!
Jonny Fenix, lent not only the name of his art show (Time for Lions), but his talented hand to the new Stars of Track and Field album and website.
And…
Justin Vernon, best known as Bon Iver, has a new side project called Volcano Choir (that’s fantastic!) and the cover of that album features artwork by last September’s artist Adrienne Deboer.
Both are really fantastic! Great job guys.
Photo of the day
Way better than the crazy clownmobile that parades around Portland! These Pakistanis have some style!
Enjoy Peter Grant’s amazing images.
documenting war
War is a reality and the documentation of it is very important. A very touchy subject, and a gruesome one at that. I read this morning how the Associated Press is getting grief for distributing a photo that was captured of Joshua Bernard, a 21 year old Marine fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. It was taken after he was hit with a rocket powered grenade and mortally wounded. This photo was shot by Julie Jacobson of the AP and this is what she had to say about it,”To ignore a moment like that simply … would have been wrong. I was recording his impending death, just as I had recorded his life moments before walking the point in the bazaar,” she said. “Death is a part of life and most certainly a part of war. Isn’t that why we’re here? To document for now and for history the events of this war?”
However hard it is to look at…we need to see it. If this isn’t seen then it dosent exist. It needs to exist to make a personal connection to those of us sitting at our desks sipping our morning coffee. I’m not saying there isn’t a boundary being over stepped for the family but its worth it for the world to see what they do so well to ignore. This could have been your loved one. This is the war you support. This is the war you ignore. This is us keeping the peace.
