We sat down with Lauri Mörsky – The Creator of REINDEER LONGBOARDS

Lauri Mörsky is a talented designer who crafts and rides boards like a true pro. BUD’s next Small Show, Reindeer Longboards with Various Artists, presents painted boards designed by Lauri. We sat down with the boardsport enthusiast to hear how he got into design, handicrafts, and skateboarding. Ready to roll?

Hi Lauri, what’s up?

I’m fine, thanks for asking!

Any thoughts regarding your upcoming small show?

Yeah, I’m just excitedly waiting for how people will welcome the exhibition.

All the longboards & designs are created by you. What about the paintings in them?

Most of them are painted by various tattoo artists who got full artistic freedom.

Cool! How did you get into handicrafts and design?

This one goes back to junior high school. At that time, I didn’t have a clear vision about what I’d like to study. Then I found the College of Crafts and Art. At first, it was art that tempted me to go there – and through art, I eventually got into woodworks.

When and how did you find skateboarding?

I watched the movie called Gleaming the Cube which had kinda free and wild spirit. That really impressed younger me. I don’t remember when I stepped to the board for the first time… But I got my first skateboard in 1988 and ever since that moment there was no going back.

So how did you end up crafting boards by yourself?

I was longboarding but I couldn’t find a perfect board to ride. I thought that I should have all the necessary knowledge of creating one by myself and gave it a go. I made a couple of boards for my friends and when other people saw my boards, they also wanted to get one.

Out of curiosity, how was the first board that you crafted?

It wasn’t technically perfect, but I rode with the prototype for several months. Actually, I still might have it somewhere at my workshop! My degree and design experience helped, and I had also luck since the prototype was unique – that kind of model didn’t exist at that time.

What moment made you realize that skateboarding culture was part of you?  

It was probably a point at the beginning of the nineties. A friend of my friend wanted to get a skateboard, but he didn’t have enough savings for a quality skateboard. I happened to know a sports store that sold inexpensive boards, so we hit the city together to look for the store and get one for him. In a way, I made it possible for this guy to start skateboarding. This was the moment when I felt like being part of something bigger. Times were really different back then… For me, there weren’t any friends or videos teaching me how to skate. I just went to the library and read a book called Skateboarding. Just think about it, I learned Ollie from a book!

Where is your inspiration coming from regarding art and life in general?

Hmm, tricky one. Nature must be the most classic answer… But hell, that’s how it is: nature inspires me. I’m also inspired by different kinds of details and shapes.

What’s your fav’ flower and why?

Dandelions. They’re edible and visually appealing.

What happens right after this interview?

I’ll get back to work.

Thanks, Lauri!

Come enjoy this gem! Reindeer Longboards with Various Artists – Small Show by Lauri Mörsky, the exhibition is free and the opening party starts at 16 on 23.9.