The Full Pipe in Ramp City in Blackpool, Lancashire UK is currently being dismantled along with it’s very cool kidney pool. The end of an era.
The full pipe when initially installed was the only full wooden full pipe of its kind in the UK. It arrived with much excitement and was initially procured from artists produced as art installations and touring internationally, including Berlin, LA and ended up in Blackpool for 9 years.
To see more about the international artists who created the pool and pipe visit simparch.org
After studying Fine Art in Northampton which then had the biggest Skate Park in The UK many of my peer group were skaters and making art work about skating. There was subliminal films and paintings being made about skateboarding often depicting spiritual feelings and sublime graphics accompanying a sometimes frowned on subculture art/sport.
Although I am not a skateboarder I appreciate its form, feeling devastated as the ramps are taken apart bit by bit. If you do not think this is a great loss to Blackpool. Think about this: these ramps had been toured internationally finally resting in Blackpool under the premise they would be skated and loved. Since roller skating and derby is enjoying a resurgence it was decided by the owners of the park that the space the ramps were housed in will be turned into a rink.
As the park recently put out a live broadcast “use it or lose it”. The rest of the immense skate park is still operational for skateboarders locally and further afield, so invest time in your local skate-parks.
The pool has found a new home yet to be disclosed but the full pipe is still on the look out for a place to be loved and skated.
If you think you can rehouse the amazing Full Pipe or help please contact Woody on 01253 296296 or email [email protected]
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