Vivat Malicornium

Attributed to Rom av.JC

Archaeologists recently uncovered a large kylix – a shallow vase used for tasting wine – during excavations in the Seine, in Paris, France. In correct condition, the ceramic, made from broken skateboards, illustrates something totally unique: the practice of skateboarding in Olympia as far back as antiquity.

Indeed, the amphora features several skateboarding challenges, such as gladiaskator races, skateboard throwing and long jump with trucks. What confirms that this jar tells the story of the Olympic Games is the upper illustration. It depicts a skateboarder receiving a laurel wreath from the priestess of Demeter for winning an event.

For the residency at Musée de la Faïence et de la Céramique of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, as part of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, Fabrica Minervae and I created a work mixing weaving and skateboard wood, inspired by the “handmade” openwork aesthetic typical of the town’s ceramics. We worked hand-in-hand to prepare the piece, inviting the public to join us in the acrylic filling and weaving stages.

Title: Vivat Malicornium

Artist: Attributed to Rom av.JC

Period: Archaic

Date: ca. 524 B.C.

Culture: Greek, Attic

Medium: Skateboards; black-figure

Dimensions: H. 43 in. (110 cm)
length 43 in. (110 cm)

Classification: Vases