Around the 5th century BC, the Roman Empire experienced a period of unprecedented influence. It was at this time, in the midst of military campaigns and distant conquests, that the Roman army made an unexpected discovery: the skateboard. Quickly adopted by the troops, this new device became more than just a means of transport – it became a veritable art of living, perfected by dint of practice on the cobbled streets of ancient cities.
The centurions, always on the cutting edge of innovation, were even the first to document their sessions with VX1000 cameras, well before their time. Their exploits, immortalized on lost analog scrolls, would have inspired a whole generation of ancient riders. This engraving is one of the few surviving remnants. The work VX1000 Skateturions, by Rom av.JC re-enacts this fiction with delicious irony. It brings together two worlds that seem to oppose each other: the rigid, hierarchical discipline of the Roman army, and the creative, often rebellious freedom of skateboarding culture. Playing on the visual codes of classic engravings, the artist inserts unexpected details: sandals transformed into trucks, togas floating in the wind of a nose manual, and of course the mythical VX1000 brandished like a sacred trophy.
More than just a humorous scene, this work questions our fascination with heroic narratives, whether ancient or urban. It evokes how myths are constructed, how history is recycled, and how objects – even the most banal – become carriers of memory.
This board is for those who like to see the past in dialogue with the present, in a joyful telescoping of eras, styles and symbols. It’s a limited numbered edition of 20, sold with a Tigerclaw Supplies wall mount. To buy it, visit romavjc.com.
