Beautiful Losers, directed by Aaron Rose and co-directed by Joshua Leonard, opens in New York
From The New York Times, August 8, 2008
The art impresario Aaron Rose co-curated the show, co-authored the book, and owned the gallery, and now he”™s back as co-director of “Beautiful Losers,” the film “” which debuted at the SXSW Film Festival, and won the Documentary Jury Award at Cinevegas. It is kicking off its New York season this weekend at IFC, where completists will also be able to purchase BL shwag and participate in educational art workshops sponsored by Nike Sportswear.
After New York, the film will be screening in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Portland, OR.
View the trailer:
New York. – Beautiful Losers celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation. In the early 1990’s a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led.
Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories…speaking to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth.
Directed by Aaron Rose and co-directed by Joshua Leonard, Beautiful Losers speaks to the collective memory of the 1990″™s and sheds new light on those unbeknownst to mainstream America.
Beautiful Losers is an intimate and moving assessment of underappreciated yet wildly influential outcasts such as Shepard Fairey, Margaret Kilgallen, Mike Mills, Barry McGee, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, Harmony Korine, Stephen Powers, Geoff McFetridge, Thomas Campbell and Ed Templeton. Informed by their individual experiences and the generation”™s “Do It Yourself” culture, these artists left an indelible mark on the worlds of fashion, music, art, design, film and ironically, sports. The story of Beautiful Losers is a retrospective celebration of their contribution to artistic independence.