Featured Image: Francois Marclay | Skier: Laurent De Martin
There are many ways to see the mountain. While there is no wrong perspective, some are more nuanced than others. What we see is reflected by what we create, and what Laurent De Martin and Sampo Vallotton create is truly something special. The duo has become known as kings of aesthetics. They prioritize above all else quality in there work, as anyone would expect, but their unique sense of what is good is what sets them apart. This has been evident in the past and is even more so in the latest film project from their brand, Simply. Recreation Club.
This new visual exploration, titled “OIWAI” or celebration, is a take on skiing in Japan and Switzerland and showcases the art of powder skiing done in its finest form. Finding scuba-deep snow in each of these places is nothing new. The task has been filmed and documented many times, which is what makes the fact that “OIWAI” stands out so interesting. Blending 16mm film with high-grade modern cinema, the team has crafted a mesmerizing and nostalgic take on skiing.
Cinematographers Tyndall Wells and Jackson Lana deserve extra praise for their approach from behind the camera. Innovative and experimental films can sometimes leave the viewer feeling stranded, but you won’t find that here. As snow begins to fully blanket the Northern Hemisphere, let “OIWAI” bring you a slice of inspiration for the winter ahead from two of the best to ever do it.
From YouTube:
Introducing OIWAI. On the back of founding Simply. and producing their first project, The Art of Recreation, Sampo and LDM return with the second part of their visual manifesto. This time, they explore the captivating beauty of powder, taking us on a journey from their local mountains in Switzerland to the serene snowscapes of Japan, all while riding Simply.’s powder tools, the Celebration.
This short movie blends 16mm film with modern cinema cameras to create a contemplative mosaic that captures Laurent and Sampo’s skiing in its most elemental form.
Presented by Simply. Recreation Club
Supported by 686, Spy Optics & Stance
Filmed by : Tyndall Wells, Jackson Lana & Sampo Vallotton.
Edited by : Jules Guarneri
Graphics by : Jonathan Cheseaux
Photography by : François Marclay & Daniel Loosli