The natural pigments reacted with the light making the process unpredictable.
Panthalassa partnered up with shaping genius Robin Kegel and his company Gato Heroi, to create the first surfboard using squid ink as a pigment.
Founded by board shaper Robin Kegel, the name Gato Heroi (« Cat Hero ») has been created over one sole vision: The functionality in the service of the aesthetics. Over the years, the Californian shaper has been imagining new concepts influenced by his own way of life. Both instinctive, elegant, honest and dynamic, his boards designs embody the culture of the late 60’s, paying tribute to the masters.
« To me, Robin Kegel is a renaissance man. One day, he is making these beautiful surfboards for Japanese customers, and the day after, he is designing a collection for Acne Studios inspired by bossa nova and bohemian avant-garde. » says Panthalassa founder Sergio Penzo. « I’ve visited him a couple of times at his workshop in Biarritz, the place pours creativity. There are splashes of color spilled all over the place, and the guys seem to be working in a trance mode to beat of jazzy tunes. »
A couple of years ago, Sergio Penzo remembers wandering in the traditional blue-painted streets of Morocco and being hit by the fascinating vivid and colorful designs. « I got inspired by all the amazing colors they achieve using pigments from natural sources. I especially remember the ones I saw in Essaouira local markets. As a coast town, they do have access to an abundance of shells from sea creatures. I had never seen such an intense purple, which was the result of a secretion produced by several species of predatory sea snails in the family Muricidae, rock snails, originally known by the name Murex. »
Once back in France, influenced by his recent Moroccan experience and the thousands shades of blue, Sergio pitched the idea to Robin who immediately jumped into the project. « Flash forward me being surrounded by all these colors in Robin’s factory in Biarritz, I thought to myself why not replace the chemical colors used in the surfboard manufacturing process with a natural pigment. We ran some tests using squid ink. The natural pigments reacted with the light making the process unpredictable. But the results are stunning. » One of the most distinctive and defining features of colloid cephalopods-squid, cuttlefish and octopus-is their inking behavior. Their ink, which is blackened by melanin, but also contains other constituents, has been used by humans in various ways for millennia.
« The surfboard exudes a sensual aesthetics blending functional surfing performance elements and art. » describes Sergio Penzo. With a slight rolled bottom, the amazingly versatile ‘Cephalopoard’ mid-lengh board presents an elegant shape as well as a unique pigmentation. Anyone can foster change.
The custom-built board has been exhibited at the Providence Gallery in Guéthary (France) and is now part of the quiver of the Panthalassa Society.
For custom orders, please contact info@panthalassa.org or info@wildthingsgallery.com.au
Photos: Sarah Arnould/Panthalassa Society
Robin Kegel Portrait: Elisa Routa
