Satellite Voices

Dubai

In Pictures: Evan Collisson

June 16, 2011

The young skateboarder on a mission to document the city

• Text by Simone Sebastian

Dubai is a city of burgeoning cultural movements initiated by its various short and long term residents. Today, Satellite Voices speaks to Evan Collisson a young skater and photographer whose time in the city has led to the growth of a healthy skate scene.

Satellite Voices: How long have you lived in Dubai and what does the city mean to you?
Evan Collisson: A few months shy of 10-years-now. It may be the most culturally awkward place on earth, but it turns out there's good fishing to be had in arid waters.

SV: You've been an integral part of the burgeoning skateboard culture of this city, as both a skater and photographer - why do you think skating is so important to kids in this city?
Evan Collisson: Because it feels good to be out there testing yourself – eating crap from time to time. Skateboarding, in a wake of perpetual creation by destruction, ultimately sows the landscape of a city. You can see it scribed in the streets in unparalleled secrecy. Push yourself, till the pavement, skate and cultivate. Around n' abound in brotherhood.

SV: What are some of your favourite spots for skating?
Evan Collisson: Usually somewhere within the stained periphery of the street post or wall that's been heavily hawked upon by champion paan chewers. Keep an eye out for those gems.

SV: You've recently started photographing forgotten parts of the city - what kind of people and places have you come across?
Evan Collisson: I'm sometimes met with confused and suspicious looks, but for the most part – welcoming, friendly, and generously warm people. A nod and a smile tends to speak all languages, and goes a long way in a multi-ethnic place like Dubai. The act of wandering aimlessly is something i've been practicing lately. Following intuition toward personally uncharted domains – the all enchanting corner or back street. Quiet spaces where grace has a place. Framing and collecting clues, perhaps, to the measliest mystery ever unsolved.

SV: Do you have any plans to exhibit your images from Dubai?
Evan Collisson: Steady lurking, stealthy and healthy. See for yourself, it's all out there!