This is an amateur mini-documentary slideshow I've created about the history of "Ink Well Beach", a 200 sq ft portion of Santa Monica State Beach located near the historic Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. It's also a little bit about Nick Gabaldon, California's first documented African American surfer who taught himself to surf in this area. Much of the photography in this presentation is my original work, and was shot on location in Santa Monica and Malibu, California in May 2008. Many of the vintage photographs were used with the kind permission of the Black Surfing Association of Los Angeles, CA http://www.blacksurfingassociation.com The guitar music used in this video is my original composition. The classical piano piece, Gymnopedie #1 was written in 1888 by French composer Erik Satie. It is in the public domain. Disclaimer: I am not a surfer, nor have I ever surfed. I do not and will not claim to be a surfing "expert." I acknowledge that I am speaking from outside of the surf culture. This video is just about an interest I have as an amateur historian in learning about and documenting the almost forgotten history of people of color living West of the Mississippi. To me, Nick and Ink Well Beach are integral parts of that history. It's my desire to use music and poetry and photography to get the information out there to the general public for both education and entertainment. I encourage you all to support two different full length film documentaries that expand upon what I've just touched on here. They are by people who are actually surfers and are part of the surf culture worldwide. The documentaries are entitled "Soul On A Wave" and "A Black Surfer's Story" You can read more about these two worthwhile film projects at their respective websites: http://web.mac.com/awprods/iWeb/SOUL%20ON%20A%20WAVE/WELCOME.html and http://blacksurferdocumentary.com/production.htm
Share on del.icio.us
Share on digg
Share on Technorati
Share on reddit
Share on Yahoo!
Share on Furl