Fabiano Rodrigues: Urban Harmony
Skateboarder, artist and photographer Fabiano Rodrigues combines elements of architecture and the urban landscape with his passion for skateboarding, to develop striking self-portraits.
In his most recent series titled Autocontrole, Rodrigues utilises his experience as a former professional skateboarder to explore the relationship of his own body with the surrounding architecture. A number of the images capture Rodrigues’ performative accuracy in harmony with the surrounding architectural forms, while in others it is a stark contrast. Rodrigues has been developing the self-portrait series since 2010.
The series – which was shot around Rodrigues’ home country of Brazil – includes images of him with modernist structures designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer. The featured structures include Igreja da Pampulha (Pampulha Church) and Conjunto JK (Housing complex JK), in Belo Horizonte; Supremo Tribunal Federal (Federal Court of Justice) and Teatro Nacional (National Theatre), in Brasilia; and Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Contemporary Art Museum), in Niterói.
Following Rodrigues’ recent exhibition of Autocontrole at Galeria LOGO in São Paulo, we spoke to the São Paulo-based artist.
f. What elements of skateboarding culture influence your artwork?
FR. I have skateboarded for 30 years and learnt everything within these years. Skateboarding culture has shown me the taste that artists have connected to this culture: music, movies, design, photography, travel and the main thing is fun. Everything that surrounds the skateboarding culture is inspiring to me.
f. How do the notions of performance and movement translate into still images?
FR. These movements and performances need to be classic and anesthetised. I try to do basic and beautiful things, so that everything is in harmony both with architecture and black and white photography. I do not even try to reach the apex of raw skateboarding. If I do complicated tricks, the purpose of skateboarding as art ends. I try to translate all this as movement that follows an aesthetic with lines, circles and gigantic walls.
f. Tell us more about the role of architecture in your work.
FR. I love architecture. I love photographing architecture and I love riding skateboards. So everything is a very natural mix of these. I’m just an element that is there, trying to interact with these massive structures and to be part of them. I want to deconstruct these lines and use them in a way that no one expects. While in others, I try to leave the architecture unrecognised. It is 70% of the work.
f. What characteristics / locations of São Paulo have the greatest Influence on your work?
FR. All of the locations I focus on are locations that my friends and I have seen and always dreamt of skating on when we were younger.
Much of the architecture of São Paulo, especially Oscar Niemeyer’s, are very conducive to skate on. However, their many curves and transitions remain all but forbidden. This work opened the doors for me to explore these desirable spaces for skateboarders. When I look at all the places I’ve already photographed, it’s almost unbelievable.
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Rodrigues has just produced two new series in Morocco and France, which he intends to produce into a book. He has also recently released a short film, which was shot with World Champion figure skater Stéphane Lambiel. The film is shot in Rodrigues’ signature black and white style and captures the beauty of Lambiel’s movement within the landscape of the ice rink.
www.fabianorodriguesphotography. tumblr.com
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