Nike Snowboarding Aries 2010

Inconspicuously perched on a quiet street of West Vancouver, outside of the glare of the Olympic torch and far from the roving masses of flag ensconced nationals from all over the globe drunk on a mix of patriotism and Canadian Club, sat a strange object, a retro-futuristic half animal half machine with the look of a cross between an 18th century diving helmet, a lunar module, and a robotic spider crab.

Although most of the pin-trading public was not aware of it, that object, better known as Aries 2010, was an extensive project commissioned by Nike Snowboarding’s Michael Hernandez and curated by trailblazing snowboard photographer Trevor Graves meant to commemorate and educate on the history of snowboarding in a way that is too seldom done in the sport.

Reaching across brand boundaries as well as through several generations of shredders, Graves compiled archival equipment and memorabilia representing nearly every aspect of snowboarding from birth to present.

We caught up with Michael Hernandez and Trevor Graves, as well as the father of freestyle snowboarding, Terry Kidwell, who drove 20 hours with his original boards to be a part of the project, to talk about the inspiration behind the Aries 2010 and the movement they hope the project can help begin.