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SIXTY SIXX INTERVIEW
42” WIZARD X SIXTY SIXX LTD GRAPHIC
The massive oversize double kick popsicle skate deck innovation originally appeared in 1997 as the 9 1/4 x 46 Skull Skates Souldier deck. By Y2K Skull scaled the size down to the 9 x 42 Mini Souldier in a refined version. Disappearing and reappearing over the decades the lineage continues today with the 9 1/4 x 42 Wizard now being offered in a limited run with graphics by Sixty Sixx from Japan.
Kazufumi Noro is 41years old, Living at Konan City Aichi province not far from Nagoya in central Japan. Also known as “Sixty Sixx” Kazufumi blended his interest in motorcycles, skateboarding, art and life recently by designing graphics for the Skull Skates x Juice Magazine Collaboration deck / clothing project and the aforementioned Skull skates Wizard deck. Sixty Sixx's work is so steeped in absolutely studious detail which points to such an extreme level of obsession and zeal for his lifestyle, hobbies and illustration that we had to track him down to fire some questions at him to try and get a grasp of his inspiration.
I started skateboarding in 2011. At that time I wanted to try to downhill skate because I just finished running the motorcycle racing circuit in Japan, so I was in need of SPEED!!
I got my first set up at Skull Skates Japan. This is my first skateboard and it was a downhill longboard.
After few years, Mr ONO, owner of Skull Skates Japan invited me to skate to bowls ramps and other things, I am real enjoy doing every style of skating now.
I’ve liked drawing since when I was kid. Because of the influence from my Dad, I actually did an art show with my father here in Japan last year.
When I was 29 years old, I started doing it more seriously because I did not know any painter who could paint my motorcycle.
I was racing a lot and wanted cool graphics so I figured the easiest is to just DIY it! I started doing motorcycle graphics.
Yes, my experience has been that they both feel really same. The feeling of speed, action, flow, style, concentration, danger etc.
I like to push my self and expand my limits. When I try new things like skating and motorcycling and push myself, that`s really inspires my idea of art.
Skateboarding, Motorcycle, Art, are all my ways of expression and I am also especially influenced alot from the good power of other artists.
Because of the BLACK PRESENCE and it’s not the common type. Of course, mostly I just find this board to be super cool .
When I learned the SKULL SKATES history, culture and style it really had made an impact on me.
I still same feeling since I got my first Skull Skates skateboard, I can never lose to anyone ...even my skateboarding is really sucks!
I really like flamed out motorcycles and cars so that was the main inspiration when I designed the flames on this Wizard deck.
In my imagination I could see a fireball ripping busting out off a ramp. When I heard about the opportunity to design for the Wizard graphics I started learning and trying to really rip the ramp because I wanted feel it and wanted to paint this feeling onto the Wizard deck. The motion and action being my own personal interpretation of the feeling which is most important to me to translate into art.
I really appreciate having a chance to design this graphic.
It’s still one of my proud of works!
When I painted this barrier, I did not skate barriers, (only downhill) but I understand now more than at that time the BA. KU. STYLE.
I am inspired to push myself in skateboarding for a long time and develop my skills in different styles.
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HISTORIC, NOTABLE CUSTOM BUILD
An amazing partially restored Skull Skates Diehard with Gullwing Pros and PP3's came by PD's Hot Shop in Vancouver.
It was time to retire / display the deck and put the vintage parts on a new Beherit Cutaway.
Fearsome, incredibly cult looking complete.
- How did you start skateboarding, and when did you start doing art / design?
- Does motorcycle culture relate directly to skateboarding for you?
- What lifestyle (skateboarding, motorcycles, etc.) and/or other artists have influenced your art?
- Why do you ride the 42” Skull Skates popsicle decks?
- What inspired your design for the new Wizard deck?
- How does it feel to have painted the now most famous BA. KU. barrier in the world?
