From our pals at Manik Skateboards, the official announcement of the launch of their Peter Bagge line of decks (and the launch party at our storefront on May 17):
Media Release
Contacts: Marshall Reid
marshallstackreid@comcast.net
Nin Truong
ninrock@yahoo.com
MANIK SKATEBOARDS PRESENTS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PETER BAGGE
Launch Party on Saturday, May 17 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
Seattle-based Manik Skateboards continues its innovative artist-in-residence approach to skateboarding culture with the release of a new line of skate decks and related merchandise by acclaimed local cartoonist Peter Bagge. The launch of this new product line begins with a display and reception for the artist on Saturday, May 17 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Georgetown.
Now in it 6th year of operation, Manik Skateboards instituted their artist-in-residence program in 2004. Past participants have included accomplished artists in a variety of media including Maya Hayuk, Andrew Pommier, Charles Peterson, Craig Wetherby, and Jeff Proctor, among many others. Peter Bagge continues this tradition of provocative graphic design with a regional flavor.
Seattle's Peter Bagge is one of the most influential and admired cartoonists in the world. His grunge-era imagery is ideally suited to the skateboarding subculture. At once hilarious and poignant, Bagge's work of this era went beyond satire, and helped fashion both the attitudes and aesthetics of Seattle's only significant indigenous youth movement. Manik partner and designer Nhon "Nin" Truong explains, "Since our inception, Manik has been devoted to preserving our region's cultural heritage. From the anachronistic architectural anomalies of the ‘Aurora Avenue' series, to the jazz and blues legends of the ‘Jackson Street' edition, we've made an effort to expose a new generation to Seattle's cultural legacy. Like Charles Peterson's photographic series of skateboards, Peter Bagge represents an amazing era in our history." Manik partner and promotions director Marshall "Stack" Reid" (a former staffer at Fantagraphics) adds, "I was exposed to Bagge's comics at a very early age, and this series is like reliving my childhood."
The launch party is open to the public of all ages. The artist will be available to sign boards and books. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) in Seattle's lively Georgetown district. Phone 206.658.0110.
A selection of images in a variety of formats is available for publication. For additional information, feel free to contact Nin Truong or Marshall Reid at numbers above.
Websites: www.manikskateboards.com and www.fantagraphics.com
Listing Information
Manik Skateboards Peter Bagge series launch party
Saturday, May 17, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 1201 S. Vale St., Seattle (206) 658-0110
Admission free. All ages.