Mr. Rossi: Pictures & Farts

In Papik Rossi''s contribution to Drago''s 36 chambers series, the renowned skateboarder exhibits the cutting-edge of contemporary Roman counterculture. His images, shrouded in monochrome with luminous yellow highlights, stunningly capture the spontaneity of the streets and the magic of Trastevere, the Roman neighbourhood that Rossi calls home. This neighbourhood is also home to the "funkhouse," Rossi''s nest and creative factory that inspires the vibrant imagery showcased in this book. The so-called King of the Roman streets is known for his skateboarding, music, photography and the clothing brand, Trustever. He has worked on some of Rome''s most notable exhibitions such as Mania at Termini station and 30% Acrilico at the Museum of Rome in Trastevere. He has also been the director of the "Cuattro" gallery in Rome where he worked on a series of extraordinary initiatives such as the production of the book, Just Push the Button, with clothing brands Slam Jam, Stussy and Carhartt.

A true Roman native, Papik started skateboarding in 1987 with other pioneers of the Italian scene, including Giampiero Pelusi (photographer for XXX Skateboard Magazine, the first of this kind in Italy), Carlo de Liso and Jekill Albertini. He was an avid traveller of the States, including Philadelphia, New York and San Francisco. The Californian town helped to inspire his style of skateboarding and the creation of his own company Trustever in 1996. In 1999 Sergio Toni curated Papik’s first photography solo-show in Rome. He went on to participate in the collective exhibition ＂Mania,＂ organised by Cecilia Nesbitt in the Roma Termini Station. Papik also collabotated with Nesbitt in the shows ＂30% Acrilico＂ at the Museum of Roma in Trastevere and ＂Now Underground.＂ In 2004, he made a sofa that had the ability to turn into a skatable structure, presented at the ＂Uban Edge Show＂ and in the off scene of the Capital. For some year he ran a gallery in Rome, ＂Cuattro＂ in order to circulate the underground brands created from the series. Amongst the many initiatives this space supported the co-production of the book Just Push the Button, with the brands Slam Jam, Stussy and Carhartt. As part of a sub-culture for vinyl funk is known better as ＂DJ Real Merda,＂ in this role he is part of the project ＂Roma Soul Brother.＂