In an age defined by isolation, the concept of a collaborative environment has become rarer, and richer than ever.
With limited travel, closed borders here and customs questions there, the often normal became the regularly impossible. But those that rejected that norm? Well, we find them here.
Enter Vans Surf and their newest film ‘Cadaver Exquis.’ A compilation of art, music, and film that came together in 2020 amongst a group of friends while the remainder of the world hit pause. The concept was simple: collectively source and assemble words or images from the group. With each adding to the composition in sequence while only allowed to see the end of what the previous person contributed. Finish what’s in front of you, and get ready for what’s next.
Cadaver Exquis had more than a talented cast of surf, art, and musical contributors at its disposal. Think: Lee-Ann Curren, Margaux Arramont-Tucoo, Ainara Aymat, Leila Hurst, Lola Mignot, Pua Desoto, Karina Rozunko, Bella Kenworthy, Hanna Scott, Holly Wawn and Chelsea Woody. And shot on location in Mexico, France, Basque Country, California, Australia, Hawaii, Bali, and Spain.
“Each of us shot the surf section over two months, filmed by friends or sometimes family, either at home or wherever we were living at the time,” says Lee-Ann Curren. “It was a collaborative process all the way, from the first idea to the end credits. The result is a testimony of this past year— of our friendships, our surfing, our influences, and how we got to create something that brought us all even closer in times when we couldn’t hang out in person.”
Watch. Tell your friends. Repeat.