Industry News
The Aspen Ski Company, CO, announced the collaboration with artist Rashid Johnson for the 22/23 season. Every year Aspen Snowmass’ lift passes feature the artwork of a different artist. This year, internationally acclaimed mixed-media artist Rashid Johnson’s work will adorn the resort’s lift passes.
Rashid Johnson was born in Chicago and studied at the Columbia College, Chicago, as well as the Art Institute of Chicago. He is known for his mixed media work which incorporates wax, wood, tiles, and even plants. Johnson’s artistic portfolio also includes sculptures and installations, and he has further expanded into film-making. He is a best-selling artist and is currently represented by Hauser & Wirth.
It isn’t Rashid Johnson’s first foray into Aspen. In 2018 he received the ArtCrush Aspen Award. He has not only visited Aspen for the ArtCrush but is also an avid skier and drew inspiration from hiking the Aspen area mountains for his movie ‘The Hikers’. The ballet movie was shot on a 16mm camera nera Aspen and featured choreography by Claudia Shreier of two men dancing in tribal-inspired masks.
The ski pass is not Rashid’s only collaboration this year with Aspen. Johnson’s powerful work will also feature on a pair of skis exclusively sold at AspenX. Unfortunately, no previews or details about the skis are available yet.
Aspen Skiing Company and the Aspen Art Museum started the ‘Art in Unexpected Places’ initiative in 2005. The artwork on its lift passes is one of the cornerstones of this initiative. Since then, 18 different artists have been chosen for the design of the resort’s ski passes. Past artists showcased on the Aspen Snowmass ski passes include Takashi Murakami, FriendsWithYou, Hank Willis Thomas, and David Shrigley.
It is an innovative way of engaging guests with art and Johnson’s vibrant, emotive pieces are sure to make the 22/23 ski season passes a collector’s item.
Looks terrible