Where We're Going We Don't Need Roads

I have been waiting for this moment my whole life: French artist Nils Gaudagnin has built a working replica of Marty McFly's hoverboard from "Back to the Future II".

Unfortunately, it only works in conjunction with the plinth it sits on, based on an inbuilt electromagnetic system that allows the object to levitate. But still, they've already released the Nike Hyperdunks (sans self-tying laces) so it's only a matter of time till we all have flying DeLoreans.

Inked Up

Phew. I've been working on this piece for about five days straight. It should've been an easy task but I kept spraying over and re-working the "tattoos" until I was happy with them all.

Stormhobo, 60 x 90 cm
Enamel and marker on particleboard
Painted July 2009

Simple premise, really. The props and pose are derived from a photo of a homeless Vietnam veteran while the quotes and adornments are taken from the helmets of American G.I.'s.

Here are some detail shots:






I was toying with the idea of a graffiti-on-graffiti deal and the stormtrooper provided a clean drawing template. I guess its also a commentary on the sad state of this day and age -- we are more likely to recognise a pop culture reference than to identify significant events in our own immediate history.

I can't say I'm above this either -- when I was a kid all I wanted was a lightsaber and Marty McFly's hoverboard from "Back to the Future II".