The world’s first co-educational skateboarding school, Skateistan, in Kabul is about to release a movie documenting their efforts to bring skateboarding and a future to Kabul’s youth. Check out the trailer to see how stoked these boys and girls are to skate! Browse the movie website to see a lot more content about Skateistan including rad photos of Kenny Reed, Louisa Menke, Cairo Foster and Maysam Faraj who visited Kabul last year.

Known by most in the Dubai scene as Kyle F****** Smith, Kyle is recognized by his unmistakeable suave style on and off the board. Hailing from England with roots in Jamaica, Kyle’s been steady killing spots and lean fast food chains across the cityscape. Chomp on this…

Just Kyle’s luck… Bangin’ backside kickflip to snapper. Yesterday in Zabeel Park, Dubai…

photos: evan

Martin Jaouni of Fujeirah came out to Dubai one sunny saturday in May and got this ollie up gap backside lip on these concrete benches in Deira. Martin is pretty much the nicest guy you’ll meet in the UAE, plus he’s got skills to look out for. Bulgarabia represent!

photos: evan

Art is skateboarding, skateboarding is art. Enjoy the graphics!

"Modern Equation" by Rollan Rodriguez (Evildogboy), "Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music" by Mohammed Al Shaibani, "Right Here, Right Now" by Eyan Lomuntad (DeepFry), "Mille-mare (a million seas)" by Janet Bellotto

"Three At Sea" by Joshua Watts, "The One Eyed Monster" by Kris Balerite (Dozign), "Ethnic Patterns" by Mellissa Guevarra, "Bokeh Snatcher" by Joseph Manata (Pinkblot)

Words from the director of the exhibition:

“Dubai, over the last couple of years has gone through an amazing transformation bringing with it a rather very interesting cultural evolution. One such evolution that i have noticed over time has been that of the subtle uprising of street culture (Hip-hop, Bboys, Street Fashion, Skateboarding) and how they have managed to blend in well with the local art and design scene.

"Sugar" by Petra Matar (Bon Petra)

The Skateboarding scene in the UAE, contrary to popular belief, is actually quite large in number; one just needs to look around to find them skaters grinding the benches of Satwa, riding the rails of DIFC and JBR and thrashing it out at the the skate-park in Abu Dhabi. It’s a sub culture that’s been nurtured by the right kind of individuals out here and I am glad it’s a growing one.

"Take me to the desert, to the city, to the beach" by Hind Mezaina

I have always been a fan of skateboarding and the sub-culture it thrives on. The ‘Skate Art’ aspect of it, managed to be a curious source of personal inspiration for my works.

people curiously admired the skateboards hung on the walls of The Shelter

"Self Portrait" by Evan, "Bring the sword & axe" by Khalid Mezaina, "Face to Face Basis" by Darwin Guevarra

After Much Deliberation, I realized that no one has really done a full-on skateboard deck art show in the Middle East. We at FN Designs thought of taking a step and the risk of curating the first skateboard art exhibition in the region.

And thus FAKiE was born.

"In Transition" by Fatma Saeed Saifan, "Or maybe not..." by Salama Naasib, "Psychokitty" by Diya Ajit (Chroma)

FAKiE refers to riding a skateboard backwards from the way a skateboarder would usually ride it. And it made sense to us, since only one of our featured artists for the show is an actual skateboarder. Also, working on a skate deck as medium, has been a first for majority of the artists involved in the show. Plus we also like the obvious tongue in cheek humor of the term.

"Marks" by Fathima Mohiuddin, "Mr. Mojo Risin" by Ubik, "Tiger" by Nargis Ahsan

FAKiE features 30 artists from the UAE with multiple backgrounds who have been handpicked dude to the unique styles that they posses to make this show what it is; and hoping you will like what you see and support our initiative and embrace it.

"Octopus Ink - Not a Reality Show" by Mark Ganzon (Cloud88), "You should see the other guy" by Emma Pinkerton, "The Humming Factor - I got my aura... aight" by Wafa Hasher AlMaktoum (Jawa)

"Scorpion" by Sarah Lahti, "Little Yellow Riding Wood" by Robert James Gibbs

"Lazer Flip" by Lateefa Bint Maktoum AlMaktoum, "Angry Panda" by Rashid Al Mulla, "Need my History" by Faouzi Khilifi (eL Seed)

We like to thank all the participating artists for being so enthusiastic about the project and for taking time off from their hectic schedule to make art on the decks. This show is your labor of love as much as it is ours.

We would also like to thank Ahmed Bin Shabib, Rashid Bin Shabib, Bradley Kirr, Saadia Zahid, Neil ‘djSolo’ Andrew and to all who have joined us for our dexhibition.”

-Wafa Hasher AlMaktoum

Director

FN Designs

‘Sparks’, for those who haven’t been there to know, got it’s radical name early on when this spot was built back in 2006.? During a few initial sessions of the spot, sparks we’re literally flying… Any time you landed primo or grinded a ledge just right, sparks would light up under your board like firecrackers. It basically caught on real quick and everyone started calling it ‘Sparks’. It sounded real dorky for at first, but we all dorked out eventually.

…Forget what i just said and check out this amazing spot for yourself. Respect your local spot – throw away your garbage!

Here are a few photos from a couple weekends ago at the infamous Sparks in Deira, Dubai.

martin jaouni, backside smith. shot a little early

the que

omar alabbar

tamer ramadan, bs nosegrind 180

tamer ramadan, bs nosegrind 180