Well, where do I start here? This project is a family affair and it has been in the talks for nearly two years now. Within those two years, it felt like a lot had changed but then again time flew by like it was all just yesterday. The only thing that lets you more or less precisely state the time things had happened are possibly the clothing items you wore that are now long gone, trashed, or long time sold on a vintage platform of your choice. Or maybe, just maybe you have kept the old Russel Sweater because it just fits like a glove, or the extremely rare Levi’s 501 `82 Selvedge made in USA factory code 555 and there is no way you will ever get rid of them. I’m not sure if you already get an idea of where this might be going but sometimes you just wear a shirt, and that one could leave your closet forever at any time, and other times you are wearing your favorite clothing item and it might be lasting a decade or two. Analogy ends. Remember all those videos you watched last week? Well, I have a good feeling that this one might be staying on your shelf for a little longer than usual. Analogy actually really ends here. Now, sit back and enjoy this video sparked with easter eggs, spots you would really like to go to, and people you haven’t seen in a long time. Filmed and edited by our very own Roland Hoogwater.

Intro by Daniel Pannemann.

Video by Roland Hoogwater.

Additional text by Roland Hoogwater.

Initially, instead of this text, I wrote another pretty lengthy piece about losing and regaining my love of skating through the making of CLOWNS. But I felt like some things are better left unsaid and instead I want to simply dish out some “Thank You’s” to some of the people that inspired me to make this video.

First off, I want to thank Peter Buikema who is responsible for most of the best PLACE videos and who helped me make my first baby steps when it came to filming, he also showed me a lot when it came to editing. Secondly, I want to thank Louis Deschamps and Romain Batard, both of them inspired me with the freedom that exists in a lot of their work. Showing me different paths, and different looks also (colors matter) and even going so far as to advise me to buy certain lenses, merci! I also want to thank Martin Danielsen, Wietse Thomas, and Jacob Ortega whose projects also inspired me not only visually but also musically and conceptually. Next up are the people I showed the video to for feedback, you know who you are, and I appreciate your honesty. Lastly, I want to thank all the people in CLOWNS, you all really helped me make something I needed to make and you helped me find back my love for skateboarding. Thank you for your trust and your time, I am indebted to you all.

Now please go and watch the video, sincerely Roland 🙂