Burton's Offensive New Boards *UPDATED*

Burton Snowboards has a reputation for pushing the boundaries, but the Burlington company may have gone over the edge with two new product lines that have outraged women's groups and anti-violence advocates.

One, called "Love," features Playboy models in various stages of undress; the other, dubbed "Primo," features graphic illustrations of hands being mutilated by scissors, a box razor and a pit bull. The company is selling "Primo" with the tag line, "Mutilate the mountain, then terrorize the streets."

An email and phone campaign to register consumer disgust with the new products made its way to Seven Days today. Among the organizations that plan to contact Burton (or already have) are the Girl Scout Council of Vermont, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and S.A.F.E Alternatives, a national group that offers counseling and treatment advice to people who "self-injure."

In an email to the company, one Colchester resident asked Burton, as "a leading producer of youth culture," to "rethink" the new lines. "Is this what you want as 'cool' in our world? And why aren't there nude males on any of the boards??"

An email response from Burton explained that the Playboy "limited edition" boards were created at the request of two professional snowboarders. "Both Burton and Playboy were founded on principles of individual freedom," the response stated, "and the collaboration has resulted in boards that reflect this attitude."

The company's response also offered the opinion that the "Love" boards, which will be "fully wrapped with an 18+ age disclaimer," are destined to become collector's items.

While the Playboy line is misogynist and distasteful, the "Primo" boards are violent and outright disturbing. Stephanie Kaza, of the UVM President's Commission on the Status of Women, called the bloody images "unconscionable" and pledged to help organize pressure on Burton.

We called Burton for comment, but the company has yet to respond. We'll let you know what they have to say.

UPDATE: Editor's Note: Opponents of the boards have started a Facebook group.

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Shana Frahm, Burton's global PR director. Frahm forwarded two brief corporate statements on the "Love" and "Primo" lines and told me the company would have nothing else to say about the matter for now. Burton executives, she said, "were not available for comment." I asked Frahm whether the company had received many complaints about the new product lines, but she declined to speak on the record.

Here are statements. I included hyperlinks to some recent press about the artists behind the new boards.

Burton/Playboy Love Collection
The Burton Playboy limited edition snowboards were created at the request of two of Burton’s professional snowboarders Mikkel Bang and Keegan Valaika.  Both Burton and Playboy were founded on principles of individual freedom, and the collaboration has resulted in boards that reflect this attitude.  The imagery on the boards is tastefully done, and we believe that they will be collector's items. The 1000 snowboards will be fully wrapped with an 18+ age disclaimer to purchase.

PRIMO
Burton has a long history of working with artists on snowboard graphics. When collaborating with an artist, Burton does not restrict the artist’s freedom of expression. The Primo graphic was created by world-renowned skate artist Todd Bratrud, who has worked on projects for such companies as Vans, Volcom and Flip Skateboards. Burton is proud to collaborate with artists like Todd.

Comments

[Nathan Beaman]

Board art has long been cutting edge, RAW and off the cuff. Sometimes primitive, but always in your face and beautiful in the way that it transgresses simple imagery, capturing a lifestyle as not only an piece of art but as a tool of self expression, transportation and athleticism. These images aren’t pushing any boundaries that haven’t been pushed before. I’ve seen more racy board graphics even back when I was just a stupid kid. What has changed, is the overall acceptance of board sports by parents and communities. Parents are more likely to embrace, encourage and support their kids in skate boarding, snowboarding, surfing, etc - now more than they were just 10 years ago. These sports have bled into the populous through TV and other media and have grown beyond the mountain, beach and parking garages they used to be constrained to. Parental support has grown from mass acceptance. Don’t get me wrong, people supporting their children is always a good thing, and it will continue to help the growth of the sports in both the limits they can push athletically and their world wide spread.

However, with a movement of Parents supporting their children in these once outcast sports, comes a parental interest that wasn’t so present on a large scale a decade ago. So, bleeding edge board-art becomes a spectacle so much easier than before(the internet helps that too). People may not have even known what their kids were riding before and now they shop with them and see first hand. People get offended and voice their opinions in a way that is actually counterproductive to their desires. They run around parading the “offensive imagery” shouting - Look at this! Is this what we want our kids seeing? Is this? Look! Look! Look! See it? It’s retarded. This happens all the time. In this case, specifically because of the out cry, more people have seen these boards than would have even known about them before. We will seek them out to see for ourselves. They are destined to be sought out and become collectors items now.

DUMB

[Bill Simmon]

And these "rock-n-roll" lyrics! Can you believe what our kids are listening to? It's not about censorship, heavens no, it's simple community responsibility!

[Suzie]

Dear Burton Snowboards:
The White Ribbon Campaign of Vermont is a group of men around the state working to end violence against women. We are writing to protest Burton’s new line of snowboards called “Love.”
The images you are exploiting and the language you are using in promoting this product perpetuate the sexual denigration and objectification of women and women’s bodies, and contribute directly to violence against women. At a time when our families, our communities, our schools and colleges are working to end sexual and domestic violence, it is irresponsible for Burton Snowboards to promote a product so disrespectful to women. As men, we feel disrespected , too.
It is astonishing you would choose to use images of nude women for young men to stand on, and then describe this snowboard in terms that are, simply put, crude. The ad copy opens with “I am on the market…” suggesting that the women you depict are for sale. The image of young men standing on a naked woman lying back on the board or showing her nude bottom and being told they will “score serious action, no matter where they stick it” is simply pornography disguised as ad copy. But your product description doesn’t stop there. It gets worse. “…long, hard grinds on my meaty Park Edges followed by a good, hot waxing.” This snowboard invites young men to hit it “from the front or the back” and to “like it kinky.” All this is described in the context of young men “riding” these nude images on the boards. That you have called this board “Love” is nothing short of perverse. What could this have to do with love?
Imagine a father helping his 12-year old daughter to learn snowboarding and seeing a young man “riding” one of these boards. What can he possibly say to her that responds to this product in any way that would model healthy behavior?
We urge Burton to discontinue this line immediately. In addition, we urge that corporate leadership at Burton meet with women and men in Vermont who are working to end violence against women and children. There is much that enlightened businesses can do to help end this violence, starting right in their own backyards. We hope you will want to help in this effort.
We value companies like Burton because of your successful history of producing a great product for a healthy and fun sport. But we can’t believe that Burton really wants to project this sexually degrading image into our communities, much less into the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of young men. Your brand, and our sons and daughter, deserve better than this. Please help us in the effort to end the myriad ways in which our culture contributes to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors in young men.
If you want to learn more, we recommend visiting the website of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (www.vtnetwork.org). Thank you for your serious consideration. We look forward to hearing from you. We can be reached at info@whiteribbonvt.org

[Sex Positive]

I simply don't buy the common assertion that pornography (if you can call Playboy porn these days,) leads to violence against women. It's a bit like D.A.R.E. saying that cigarette smoking leads to heroin use. Sure, a lot of junkies smoke, but was it really the cigarettes that did it? I think insecurity, possessiveness and stupidity lead to domestic violence. I also think that repression is at the very top of the list. If we don't want to see women's bodies because it leads to violence and inappropriate sexual behavior then perhaps we'd best start requiring burqas. That is the logic, you know, faulty though it be.

I'm with Molly. Hannah Montana, Cosmo and television are far worse influences on your children than these boards will ever be, and I'd be really surprised if your children actually see one of these boards on the slopes. I can guarantee they watch the boob-tube. Opportunities for teaching moments all around.

...And for the record, Seven Days, since this has become an issue, I've heard from some regular folk out there that the heels & handcuffs in Hot to Trot really do offend them. In fact, they don't read Seven Days because they're offended by the Personals and Mistress Maeve. And while I think they're certainly repressed, they're not religious loonies or anything. Since you're obviously intentionally pushing the sexual envelope, it would be genuinely interesting to hear where and why the line gets drawn between publishing ads for women actively looking to be tied up and beaten and publishing pictures of women who actively choose to pose nude for the purpose of appearing in Playboy.

[Molly]

Thanks, Sex Positive. I find the statement "The images you are exploiting and the language you are using in promoting this product perpetuate the sexual denigration and objectification of women and women’s bodies, and contribute directly to violence against women." outrageously histrionic. This is classic scapegoating.

What do you tell your 12 year old daughter on the slopes when a Love board slides by? Well, you could be sane and healthy about it and tell her that many people like to decorate their boards in a way that reflects their appreciation of beauty: flowers, landscapes, rainbows, colors, or even women's bodies. Or you could be insanely puritanical and teach her a lesson in shame by getting all freaked out. You'll be setting her up for a lifetime of never approaching authority figures with questions about her sexuality and reproductive health ever again.

Silence = unplanned pregnancies and STIs. Congratulations.

[Shallow Thought]

First I want to put out there that I haven't read through all of the comments so I may be duplicating the writings of others.

Playboy and self mutilation...
objectification of female body... Yes it's the female body on a board. That discussion is always difficult. I seriously surprised they did it because it's been done already.. I mean magazines for your children.. Porn on the internet. It does cause the norm for what people see as real bodies to be different from the average body.. But it's also a body. I agree with some of the other postings. We are way to uptight about sex. We educate about it poorly and not enough. I found about this UK sex ed show. It's great! So protest our schools education system and teach your children.

http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/

As for self mutilation.. It's a graphic cartoon.. It's social commentary is stronger then the graphic content but.... will people get that...

ok so seriously... It's speaking like the New Coen brother's film about the idiot's cause and effect.

1) insane sports fans
2) violent measures for peace (iraq war?) (little rockets?)
3) not as clear... sign language for ok.. statement of the naivity of society in believing things are ok now in the world..
4) Rock on! sign, I think that self explanatory
5) West side: i think that is the same...

The point may not have gotten across.. but.. maybe...

[Therem]

I think Zach (comment #133286435) is spot on: the "Love" series is just a set of lame designs. I encourage anyone who hasn't done so to follow the link to Burton's page advertising the Love and see for yourself. The stuff is crap. Anyone who bought a board like that would immediately be classed in my mind with dudes who have silhouettes of naked women on their gas guzzling truck mudflaps: sexist and terminally uncool. I have a feeling that Burton was trying for sexist and cool. Fail.

[Jason]

Oh I get it. Burton has the "individual freedom' to put whatever graphics it wants on their boards, but Mad River Glen doesn't have the right to sell whatever product or service it wishes to.

[Nancy VIens]

I am ashamed to be descended from the Burtons. My grandfather, Dr. Oscar Burton of St. Albans Bay, would be spinning in his grave if he knew of the obscene messages that pass as acceptable under his name. What kind of evil has our society descended to where women are demeaned and self-mutilation is to be admired? There are a lot of sick people out there.

[Disappointed]

I'm disappointed that Burton didn't think this through...they have a corporate responsibility to all members of their customer-base. That includes young children. I see comments about 10 - 12 year olds seeing these images in the lift lines...how about the 5, 6 and 7 year olds? They are not old enough to fully understand the "freedom of speech" or "art is expression" discussion. They just take things literally, and the message is that these are images are cool and accepted. What would Burton staff do if a parent showed up to their kid's birthday party wearing these images on their shirt?

[crunk]

This is dumb. I think the designs are lame, but I don't care if people like them or wish to buy them. To each their own, just don't come and tell me what to like and believe in. Seeing this doesn't make me want to drill my hand or cut of my fingers, nor does it give me any sexual inclinations that I already didn't have.

Get real. Sex and violence have been around longer than religion. Describing this as obscene is kind of lame. I don't see anything obscene about naked ladies, what I find obscene is people trying to tell me if I don't believe fully in God/gods I'm going to hell or don't deserve to be part of society.

To each their own. Lets focus on some real issues like false wars, wasting our tax money on frivolous earmarks, and corrupt government.

[Molly]

Cutting is triggered by strong emotions. Can anyone who is claiming that the boards will contribute to self injury provide ANY credible evidence of this? Any study or statistics - anything? Do we need to ban the evening news, horror movies, comic books, and Looney Tunes, too?

And as for the Love boards denigrating women, anti-porn crusaders have been trying to prove that old rubbish for decades with no success.

You are trying to fight complex, subtle, systemic psycho-social issues by attacking a benign, high-profile scapegoat. It's as senseless as Freedom Fries.

[HipMom]

As a mom of a young son, I care deeply and tend carefully about what he is exposed to in our media and culture. The reason I don't like these boards not primarily because there will be images that may scare him or confuse him, but that they could potentially just end up as unquestioned and acceptable images of reality. He might not think about them at all and just except them into his unconsciousness as normal behaviors of Women and Men. Images can be very subtle (or not, in this case) and if certain messages are not questioned, then are we just agreeing with them by default? An older person can distinguish between fantasy and reality but a younger person cannot. The 18+ wrappers won't be on the mountain where my 4 year old is skiing. What do I do when we have to walk by the racks with these images on them?

[Sex Positive]

Burton takes the blame for encouraging sexual violence and self-harm, yet Mistress Maeve writes in her Seven Days blog about enjoying "a hot rape scene between three attendees that lasted well over two hours and a piercing scene where a woman was outfitted with needles up and down her back to fashion a corset of ribbon."

http://7d.blogs.com/mistress/2008/09/the-friendly-sm.html

(Available regardless of age.)

Is Seven Days endorsing rape and self-harm?

[Christopher]

Since i only had enough time to read a 100 or so comments in this blog so far before i wrote this i may be repeating another's comment when i say that the description of the LOVE boards and the pictures that are actually on the boards appear to be very tongue in cheek and reading the description all i could do was laugh at the fact at how riled up people have become over this. The sad truth about this is that the boards, while harmlessly beholding nude women in anything BUT scandalous poses, reflect on Burton not a misogynistic point of view, but more just a cheap way to get a buck from idiots who believe these boards are "Cool". when really whats on your board doesn't matter, all that matters is how you lay it down on the mountain to back-up that overinflated ego. these boards will not set womens right back a 100 years, you can see the same thing in magazines that are not even pornographic and in reality, unless the rider of one of these board happens to actually be good and is airborne the graphics really are very hard to see so really just let it go people please and allow people to spend their money how they see fit. If anything comes of this use it as a teaching moment for your "4yr old on the mountain" and teach them the beauty of the human body and how to respect it and enjoy it.

[Christopher]

Also the PRIMO board which depicts "self mutilation" as some call it may be gruesome and most definitely fits the stereotype of "anti culture" is not going to teach young women how to mutilate themselves. i have known a few girls who "cut" themselves and not a single one of them sowed a foam finger onto their hand, smeared dog food onto their hand and had a rottweiler chew it off or strap explosives to both sides of their hand and blow off their fingers. these depictions seem to show off someones off color sense of humor and while they are not mainstream also do not warrant they amount of tension fostered by this uproar. why on earth are we wasting our time (mine included) on this subject when we have better things to do. i for one am going to go dig my gear out of the closet right now so i can go riding this winter even if my eyes are "scandalized" by a few pictures of beautiful women and i am suddenly given the urge by a picture of a bleeding hand to strap explosives around my hand and blow it off. call me crazy but i think i will be fine this winter as will you all.

[Suzie]

The Pornification Of A Generation

A new book traces the migration of porn culture from adult theaters to the mainstream—and asks what that means for kids.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/162792/output/print

[Molly]

That book is about things that I've been talking about - Bratz, Barbies, Hannah Montana, Paris Hilton, etc.. The truly dangerous, not just ironic/symbolic.

[sam]

I can't appreciate how these large organizations can spend so much time and money (time is money) litigating and researching these subjects. How about you serve those individuals that are cutting themselves up and solve the real issue. Sorry, but the world will not stop moving because people have issues that they can't control. I am as "normal" as I believe most people are and I don't expect people to stop making things because I don't like them or they hurt my feelings. It's everyone right in the U.S. to produce items if they have consumers and they don't directly hurt people. Implying that a cartoon picture is going to make me change my world is rediculous. Why would I cut myself or attack women because of a snowboard? Are people assuming that consumer goods can make people insane? I am starting to understand why this country is having so many issues. We are sympathetic to everyone without regard to situation. We have lost the ability to substantiate a legitimate case. Good luck everyone, obviously Burton will be sued because that is the new American way and hopefully those who get the boards will then be able to sell them for 10 times the sale price as collectables. Crazy

[sam]

First, Burton is the owners middle name. His family name (last name) is Carpenter, so don't worry that all you Burton's are being dragged through the mud. Second, how do you explain this situation to a small child (i.e. ages 4 - 10)? Easy answer, the same way you will make sure they don't hit people. YOU WILL TELL THEM NOT TO. Do you expect to be missing? Do you rely on everyone to teach you children? What if your child walks by a magazine rack with FHM, Seventeen or Sport Illustrateds Swimsuit Issue? Will you say something then? For being such articulate and intelligent readers to this article. A few of you need to get out of you shell and realize this isn't 1950 and Betty Crocker isn't teaching our children. It takes more from us as parents, but that is what being a parent is about.
No need to insult each other, but we need to teach our children about the world they live in. Not, just how we would like it to be because we think we know better.

[Meghan]

Someone reminded me last night about when UVM held its last cakewalk - 1971 or so. Cake walk was a form of dance performed by slaves often for each other but also primarily for slave masters. Then fraternities took it up. White fraternity boys would dress up in black face and compete with one another. The displays were athletic, musical, colorful and lots of fun (to the frats.) They also were racist. It was UVM and the fraternities free speech right to continue doing cakewalk, but public opinion said, this is idiotic and needs to stop. People spoke out against it as a moral issue. Just thought it was interesting to remember that we have "lost" some other traditions in the past because of people stepping forward and saying "this isn't just MY issue, this is an issue that affects lots of folks" I for one am glad I don't have to explain to my kids why I think cakewalk is messed up because UVM fraternities are excersizing their "free speech rights." Not that there isn't plenty of racist imagery around to talk to them about.

[Meghan]

Someone reminded me last night about when UVM held its last cakewalk - 1971 or so. Cake walk was a form of dance performed by slaves often for each other but also primarily for slave masters. Then fraternities took it up. White fraternity boys would dress up in black face and compete with one another. The displays were athletic, musical, colorful and lots of fun (to the frats.) They also were racist. It was UVM and the fraternities free speech right to continue doing cakewalk, but public opinion said, this is idiotic and needs to stop. People spoke out against it as a moral issue. Just thought it was interesting to remember that we have "lost" some other traditions in the past because of people stepping forward and saying "this isn't just MY issue, this is an issue that affects lots of folks" I for one am glad I don't have to explain to my kids why I think cakewalk is messed up because UVM fraternities are excersizing their "free speech rights." Not that there isn't plenty of racist imagery around to talk to them about.

[BOLTON OUTLAW]

In a way, this story is already five years old: In 2003, Sims Snowboards paid Vivid Entertainment for the use of its name, and images of its contracted porn actresses to promote and illustrate a line of snowboards. This is but one more example of the "Pornification of a Generation" theory in practice.

You can see an image of the board at this link:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/liquid_paper/DSCF0287.jpg

Using sex to empty a consumer wallet is older than a fossilized caveman's loincloth. Kudos to the poster who noted how Seven Days uses its Personals to move papers!

[SPS]

Burton gives lie to the myth that Vermont companies are somehow more virtuous or socially responsible.

So now when my 7-year old kid is getting on the lift and sees the teenager sitting next to him with a board with M-80s blowing fingers off, I will get the joy of explaining that one to him. Meanwhile, Burton gets defended by people for promoting art while raking in the profits from the free publicity.

So, thanks Jake Burton. I am glad you managed to make a quick buck off of making parents' lives more difficult. Be sure to remember that when it comes time to get my kid a new board.

[L.]

I'd be a lot more likely to believe that Burton was just being sex-positive if they issued a parallel "Love" series of snowboards showing male cheesecake, you know, with the accompanying text: "I’m on the market for someone who’s looking to score serious action, no matter where they like to stick it. I enjoy laps through the park; long, hard grinds on my meaty Park Edges followed by a good, hot waxing. ... Keegan and Mikkel love riding me, I hope you will too."

I don't think that the images shown on these boards are going to suddenly make anyone into a misogynist, or cause them to begin cutting. But I don't like the messages. To me female cheesecake isn't sex-positive without some irony or acknowledgment of misogyny's long history. For most of recorded history the worth of a woman was pretty much about what she was worth to a man. And often hypersexualization of women is used as a way to make them subordinate: to obliterate their characters, to see them as tools or receptacles, and not as active agents seeking their own goals and interests.

I hardly think the boards should be censored. Please. Burton can sell whatever they like. But if they continue down this road I won't be buying their stuff for my kids. That's my choice. I won't enjoy trying to explain this kind of thing to a little kid. And I think these lines taint their supposedly family-friendly persona.

[Randy Moss]

Very early on in this conversation, somebody (I can't remember exactly who, at this point) laid down the challenge for a man with a knowledge of the work being done by various women's movements to defend the Love boards. I'll take up the challenge.

I have a very intimate relationship with a woman who is involved in several prominent women's movements in Burlington, VT. I'm also intimately connected to the snowboarding industry (disclaimer - I'm in no way affiliated with Burton Snowboards), and - surprise, surprise - I feel the need to defend these Burton boards.

I find myself liking this snowboard more and more not for the graphic itself, but for the conversation it has generated. We're talking about heady matters here - sex, art, pornography, censorship - how are we to define any of these in the culture in which we live? Somewhere late in this thread, somebody laments the lack of irony with this board design. The board, which for the sake of argument we'll say is "pornographic," is called the Love - how much more ironic can we get? What constitutes art in a market-driven society? What constitutes love in a society that markets sex? At what point does art become pornography, and when does pornography become obscene? Although not necessarily stated, I think all of these questions are implied in the design and the naming of this board. At its best, both sides of the argument above address these questions, and constitute an important dialogue generated by this board; to what higher standard could we possibly hold a work of art?

Let's look at it another way. Much has been made of this board's highly suggestive board description. Yet the methods this description employs - double entendre, innuendo - are essentially no different than what could be found in Shakespeare's comedies. Of course, the argument can and has been made that Shakespeare is a sexist bastard - in fact there are many brilliant scholars who have taken vastly different readings of Shakespearean texts by approaching the works from a feminist perspective - and yet I don't know of any movement anywhere to ban Romeo and Juliet from middle school classrooms.

I suppose I haven't sufficiently explained my connection to women's movements solidly enough. Without revealing too much about myself or about any of my acquaintances, I can say that I have seen firsthand the very difficult work of de-constructing the more violent aspects of the American sexual landscape. It is daunting work, and I doubt I could have more respect for any profession than I do for the social workers and the volunteers who, as just one example, provide council to rape victims in the hours, days, weeks, months and years following the one of the most violent of acts. In all honesty, I think it is a disservice to these workers that one snowboard can receive more attention in the Vermont press than all of the numerous sexual crimes committed in Burlington alone in the months since this board was released, combined. I understand concerns about violent atttitudes toward women - I just firmly believe that there are better ways to go about addressing this issue, and it doesn't start with picketing snowboard companies. If only it were so easy and so simple.

The fact remains that it is our responsibility to develop discerning individual minds, and to teach our children how to do the same. Attacking snowboards is hardly a step in the right direction. Believe it or not, Burton Snowboards is not the biggest problem plaguing Vermont right now. For my money, it's a bigger issue when so many of our citizens tolerate only the ideas with which they agree, promote only the art of which they approve, and acknowledge only modes of sexuality they consider safe or acceptable. Some in this thread have questioned the use of the word "censorship," yet for such a liberal state, there seems to be a lot of people who would rather place a gag order on a number of ideas. I challenge everybody who reads this to think critically about their views on this issue, and not just about the views of others - I've had no choice, I've had to. Let's try to achieve something that this wonderful state seems always to lack - an open dialogue with more than one side. If we keep achieving that, maybe this snowboard has done its job.

[Snowboards for Kids!]

Oh my God! I can't believe these boards are being marketed to kids! Seriously, there is something wrong with this society. With our children exposed to such violent and sexual imagery at such a young age, it's no wonder the crime level is what it is. I'm never buying Burton boards and will probably tell my friends to do the same! What happened to non-violent cartoon imagery? Like I wouldn't mind a Tom and Jerry themed board.

[Lame]

Find something more important to get up in arms over. If any of the protesters think for one second that Burton will change their stance on these boards you're crazy

[aintnuttinbutaGthang]

Kudos to Randy Moss- excellent response that encompasses more than one perspective that is actually objective. I felt like trying to answer some of his challenging questions..

What constitutes art in a market-driven society?

In a market-driven society, money generally constitutes what art is. Money is required to own, make, and sell most art. Shout out to our own, not quite home-grown, but certainly nourished by VT, Bread & Puppet’s Cheap Art Philosophy!!!

“The Cheap Art movement was launched in 1982 by the Bread and Puppet Theater in direct response to the business of art and its growing appropriation by the corporate sector. With this fact taken into account art becomes:

"political whether you like it or not…"

Cheap Art hopes to reestablish the appreciation of artistic creation by making it available to a wider audience and inspire anyone to revel in an art making process that is not subject to academic approval or curatorial acceptance.”

So… a snowboard is not cheap-but it is art, that as snowboarders, we find a way to afford and acquire. It is affordable depending on the gear you choose and your priorities. And it comes in many forms, so the corporate sector of Burton takes the opportunity to make many masterpieces available to the wide audience of snowboarding. If you check out Burton’s website- there are 40 models of men’s snowboards to choose from. There are 15 women’s models to choose from. Sounds about right considering that right now, about 1/3 of snowboarders are female. There are models, excuse me, works of ridable art, for every type of rider. Let’s be aware that we are focusing on 2 styles (Love & Primo) out of 40, one of which is a limited edition board. That means the chances of seeing the Love out on the Hill are slim to none. These boards constitute less than 5% of the men’s line.

And what would happen if you saw this board with your child? There isn’t a sign of a nipple- we all know what happened last time America saw a nipple! Is our culture so uncomfortable with the natural human form that there must be a sharp & critical reaction anytime it is exposed? If you have ever been to the UK, you will note that there is a topless female in the paper at least once a day. The reaction to the Love sheds light on how sexually uptight and repressed American culture can be and is. Let’s use this as an opportunity to teach our community and it’s children about what it means to have a healthy relationship to our own bodies and what we choose to do with them…sometimes with other bodies!

Like it or not, Playboy, pornography, and images of the human form are part of our cultural history. Let’s not forget that the women in these images CHOSE to be in these images. The images chosen still embody a realistic female form, not like the porn mags and porn stars of today, filled to the brim with silicone, all with the same tired bleach blonde hair and tan in a can. When you see this board, IF you see it on the hill, teach your children what it is. Who better to explain? There is nothing subversive about it unless you allow it to be so-it is all in one’s perception.

At what point does art become pornography, and when does pornography become obscene?

One’s judgment and subjective experience will generally outline when art becomes pornography. Art becomes pornography when the individual interprets obscenity within the piece.

ob•scene: adj.
1.Offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty.
2.Inciting lustful feelings; lewd.

What constitutes love in a society that markets sex?

Whoa! This is a big one. People love sex- those people who have had the great opportunity of actually enjoying it. I would love to write a thesis on this.. but lets stick to the subject.

In direct response to the “Love” with the sexual symbol of the Playboy bunny on it, we cannot forget that these decks were made specifically for 2 young heterosexual males who love snowboarding as much as they love the boo-tay! Let’s face it, the majority of snowboarders are male and probably heterosexual AND may find these boards aesthetically pleasing. Hell! I’m a heterosexual female and I like looking at them. There is a sense of comic relief reading the description of the board. Anybody who shreds and reads knows & understands exactly, that feeling of hitting that rail or jib, having a smooth flow thru the trick, and landing safe-it feels JUST as good as getting some good old fashioned lovin! Especially when you are on a board that seriously performs. Again, it’s defined in one’s personal experience and perception. Not everybody is going to understand. That is ok.

The community is outraged because Burton is perceived as THE family brand in snowboarding- as it should be. Burton makes something for everyone, allowing them to make snowboarding accessible to any type of person interested. If you open a snowboard catalog for any other brand, you will find that the Love is not the only deck out there, that uses images and silhouettes of women for graphics. Other brands are catering to the subculture while Burton is an all-encompassing brand. Burton=limitless possibility.

The female body is a turn-on. So is the male body, but let’s face it, us women have been blessed with some sexy curvature of all sizes and we just look better on a deck than a dude! As a female snowboarder who carries a bachelor's of science in women’s studies, I encourage our community to take another look at the Love, make what you want of it and let it go. Try focusing on issues that are really pressing Vermonters right now- fuel prices, heating homes, feeding families, making sure that the less fortunate in our communities are taken care of through our economic ups and downs and the upcoming cold winter, that our VT vets come home-there is more going on out there, then this. Pour your energy into those that are truly in need.

I agree with Randy, “The fact remains that it is our responsibility to develop discerning individual minds, and to teach our children how to do the same. Attacking snowboards is hardly a step in the right direction. Believe it or not, Burton Snowboards is not the biggest problem plaguing Vermont right now. For my money, it's a bigger issue when so many of our citizens tolerate only the ideas with which they agree, promote only the art of which they approve, and acknowledge only modes of sexuality they consider safe or acceptable.” Teach your kids well and do your homework.

The positives outweigh the negative:

-Burton has been revolutionizing snowboarding for years and has done more for women’s snowboarding than any other brand.
-Burton creates jobs with excellent benefits, for our local community- and challenging fulfilling careers
-Burton takes female leadership seriously in the workplace- ask any female employee.
-Burton sponsors CHILL and supplies the program with loads of positive volunteers and strong role models
-Burton supports green initiatives and feminist initiatives

[Gary H.]

..... All you, who have no problem with the new controversial Burton Snowboards..... Picture, the small child waiting in the lift line, staring at these new graphics.... Seems like a good family day to me.... Not!

[Oh, come on, now.]

Dude, you kids have already seen as much on a magazine cover in line at the grocery store, or an episode of Itchy and Scratchy on The Simpsons.

[Meghan]

CCTV/Channel 17 will be airing a live call in forum with Leslie Sprenger, Suzie DeBrosse and perhaps others at 6:00pm on Wed. Oct. 29th. Feel free to add your comments by calling 802-862-3966. This can be seen in Chittenden County on Comcast or Burl Telecom Channel 17. Burton reps have also been invited to attend.

[C]

WHY AREN'T THERE ANY PICTUES OF MEN? WHY ARE THERE ONLY FEMALE PICTURES? ARE ONLY WOMEN SEEN THIS WAY? IF YOUR GOING TO PUT A LINE OF "NUDE ART" ON YOU BOARDS MAYBE IT SHOULD APPREAL TO BOTH SEXES.

[c]

P.S IM NOT SHOUTING..MY CAPS KEY IS STUCK

[Russell South Carolina]

This goes way deeper than these boards. "Way to attack the sympton rather than the disease." written by Molly hits the nail on the head. Randy Moss also puts it well when he says, "The fact remains that it is our responsibility to develop discerning individual minds, and to teach our children how to do the same. Attacking snowboards is hardly a step in the right direction."

For those who keep imagining a child seeing this board on the slopes... What about television and magazines? It is in nearly everything you watch, read, and see. It is EVERYWHERE.

The problems lies within out media which shapes our culture towards these values and ways of thinking.. So how can you fight it?? I don't think it's something that happens overnight. Rather through GENERATIONS. How do you achieve that? Reread my quote from Randy Moss! Imagine if we as a nation were able to do that.. How much better could everything be?

[Kimberly Davis]

A few points:

1. No one is saying that what Burton is doing is against the law or CAN'T make and market these snowboards. We are talking about being a decent and responsible business with a thought towards the betterment of society versus just making a buck at any price.

2. The people who are against about these boards probably also do not like what is offered on TV, certain magazines etc. and have already "voted with their pocketbooks" by turnng them off, not buying etc. Just because they are voicing opinions about the LOVE/PRIMO boards doesn't mean that they aren't vocal/active about other issues.

3. The difference between these boards and other forms of media is that they are inescapable. We can choose to turn off the TV, not purchase a magazine or put a book out of sight, but these boards will be in full sight at the ski areas - on the slopes, in lift lines and stacked in the racks as you go in to lunch.

4. The problem with the LOVE board is not the nakedness per se, it is the attitude around women and sex. It is not just an artistic nude but a message that is disrespectful and degrading. That attitude is what can lead to more violent expression and behavior.

Why does Burton bring the glorification of these very negative, disturbing and violent connotations to the mountain, a place which has been typically a source of peace and well-being by offering an opportunity to connect with nature and other avid outdoorsmen & women and allow wholesome activity for everyone.

[Bobby Maier]

How come Jeff Springer isn't chiming in here on Burton? As a key protest organizer he aught to be contributing something.

[Nancy Viens]

My grandfather, Dr. Oscar Burton, must be rotating in his grave! At the very least, the art on the Burton boards is in extremely poor taste.

[LodoSerieviva]

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