Skateboarding in Suzhou: The Collective Chaos and Controlled Expressions of Skateboarding in Public Spaces

Description

In Suzhou, skateboarding transcends mere sport, embodying collective chaos and controlled expression within public spaces. It challenges the traditional notions of public space utilisation in China. Unlike the Western individualistic approach to public space, China’s public spaces are shaped by collective practices within a complex relational system. This study explores the concept of public space through the lens of skateboarding in Suzhou, particularly around Jinji and Dushu Lakes in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). The study employs interviews to capture the skateboarding community's voices and experiences and photo-analysis to further illuminate the spatial dynamics and aesthetic dimensions of skateboarding in the public spaces of Suzhou. The aim is to understand how the practice of skateboarding, understood as a rebellious counterculture, thrives in as a collective practice in a complex relational system in Suzhou.

Period	Jul 2024 → Aug 2024
Degree of Recognition	National