Denst: “The young hands aerosol”

                                                           Self-portrait of Denst

Between drug trafficking and constant danger, Jeampierre Denmark or "Denst", as is known, knew get ahead. Today is one of the most renowned graffiti artists of Santiago. Besides being in several walls of the capitol, his paintings have become part of Adidas Originals and some restaurants. It was even published a book of his works. "Do not see why the Mona Lisa couldn't also be exposed in the streets," says Denst, convinced that no exist a single language.

by Williamson Catalán Maldonado and Paolo Villagrán Lara

The life of Jeampierre Denmark has not been easy. Grew in Conchalí, a sector with obvious social risk, surrounded by crime and drug trafficking. He knew the painting at age 4 by a guy who did murals. However, it was not until the 16 who decided to take to the streets. Today, with 24 years behind him, “Denst”, known as "the young hands of aerosol", used the graffiti to pay for his studies of art and visual culture at the University ARCIS.

Gradually, Jean Pierre or “Denst”, Armando has been a name in the world of national graffiti and also out of this. Customers of the local "Portal Corner", next to the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, never again felt like returning to the place that serves classic complete, landholders and hams. "The young hands aerosol" left his mark forever; four nights, several cans of spray and inspiration ended in a huge mural that today leaves no one indifferent. The same thing happened in the Giratorio, an exclusive restaurant of Providencia.

 –Some time ago you painted on the premises of Tutto Pollo restaurant and in the Giratorio. Do you think that this indicates some acceptance of your work by society?

I think people in general, when it knows what background includes painting in the streets, the more widely accepted. It often happens that when people think in graffiti, links it with stripes or property damage. The work to which I have been called by people who know the work I do, and they respect to do it my way. I think it has been well accepted what I do, at least the people I've worked with has told me he likes the painting once it is completed.

 –As you have painted in pubs and restaurants, many graffiti artists perform their works with permission of owners or exhibit their work in art galleries. Do you think that with actions you lose the essence of graffiti? Why?

Sometimes prefer more the adrenaline and challenge. But there are times when it is better to paint more slowly and calmly; authorized or unauthorized is a painted wall. The rest is an added value. And it is also important the sense of painting. I think wherever you are, the graffiti or whatever that is painted, going on what you feel, and that goes beyond that is illegal or not. Do not see why the Mona Lisa couldn't also be exposed in the streets too.

 –And in that sense, what benefits brings the graffiti to cities like Valparaiso?

Valparaiso is a place where even foreigners go because it's full of graffitis. That gives a plus, because the street painting is taking its rightful place and begins to be valued as such. Even a German friend told me that one of the things that he like about Valparaíso are precisely the murals. And that's a good thing to Valparaiso or anywhere: that same people outside the world of graffiti it is valued more.

 –Do you think there is any way to bring ordinary people with the graffiti? How?

Sure, the same street, the large mural projects, the graffiti workshops, the same reports from magazines, television, or newspapers (the well focused, of course).  Everything serves as an intermediary to the people. Many times, the distance is just ignorance. Grace nor is attack to the people or who says graffiti are pure stripes, but to show them what we do and open him to paint for all, not only for who know about this. Painting is freedom and, therefore, it is always good to share.

 –Finally, what would you say to those who wants engage in graffiti? Is it something you would recommend? Why?

The that health care and using masks or something. Later, to strive and not frustrated for learn everything fast, the spray paint is something that takes practice and experience, and that comes only with time. And the other, thoroughly observe everything around them, going with a book everywhere and practice all shapes they see.  See animated films, of science fiction, etc. 

Francisco "Coco" Zurita: The Chilean triumphs in USA.

 Francisco "Coco" Zurita it took about eight years to become one of the 10 best in the world in freestyle BMX. Were constant practice and hard training trips which took him to the seat he

holds today. Last year we had a large share in the Asian X Games made ​​in May, showing why he is one of the best in the world.

 by Natalia Corvalán B.

Francisco Zurita is clear and concise when telling his story up on a bicycle. At 14 years, he began practicing BMX in the Park Araucano of Las Condes, discipline learned through his cousin. "My cousin, whom he admired, he bought a BMX and when I saw him doing the sport I loved," he says.

In 2003, aged 19, broke into the USA.: "cradle" of the BMX world, as he points out.   

How did your life in the USA?   

A friend went to work there so I decided to go with him. I started selling water filters. I was almost out of money. As I had to work practiced a few times a week. After a while we started to go well and we become independent. Contact an agent while he organized exhibitions of BMX and went. In those same exhibits met the team manager of the brand GT (professional bicycle brand), and said "you're coming with us." Thus began my career there. 

When was your first international competition?

At 2004 participate in a local event in Dallas, Texas, remains in sixth place.  

How was your sports experience in USA?

Everything has been a blessing giant, things have turned slowly, but have been fine. Without many injuries, traveling a lot, doing sick sport and what I like. Meeting many new people all the time, of different cultures.

"Coco" lives in California and practiced every day in the Woodward West - sports field with specialized programs in gymnastics, skateboarding, freestyle BMX, inline skate, snowboard, among others - there trains all year.

"Most of the events are in USA, sick time spent there. But actually I walk every continent, fed by Chile also " he says.

Participation in the X Games Asia.

Have you participated in more than one version of the X Games. How was that experience?

Excellent, is a very formal event, the organization is amazing. It is impressive that the value given to BMX, the number of people coming to watch the event live and knowing that airs in 172 countries, makes it even more impressive.

How is the preparation for an event?

For example for this year, full trained all summer in the clinic Meds in Chile. There I optimize my performance and then strengthen it to get to Woodward West in USA. 

How do you evaluate your participation in the 2011 version?

Having tied for third place and finally stay at number four, was not happy. I expected more from me. But in truth I have no reason to argue, thank god I walked out and a good place. 

The  last november "Coco" had a brilliant participation in the "Yogu Yogu pro games", an annual exhibition that takes place in Chile showing the best tricks of the leading exponents of Chilean and international extreme sports. 

Pictures from:  http://www.cocozurita.com/       

Mapocho pedaleable: restore the river to the people of Santiago

Santiago is one of the cities with the highest air pollution in South America. If we look at the Rio Mapocho, not surprising that it is also in visual terms. It is almost impossible to imagine the Mapocho River as a free and inclusive space. Moreover if you think about it for sports. That is precisely what we propose two architects: give a new face to one of the darkest places of the city and, in passing, build the longest bike path in this city.

Paolo Villagrán Lara



A sunny winter afternoon in 2009, Thomas and Osvaldo Larraín Echiburú strolled along the waterfront and watched the Mapocho River. At that time the two architects were to mind was an idea that can change forever the face of one of the more traditional icons of Santiago: do Mapocho River open space for cyclists, runners, skaters and anyone like walking, or playing sports, the proposed corridor.

By then, the two began their titling processes at the Catholic University (PUC) and the concern that they came that afternoon three years ago, it fitted perfectly with what they needed them and the city.

"The parks (the side of the river) are interconnected super bad, because it always prioritizes passing cars. Moreover, no park openly linked with the river and the possibility of lowering is almost nonexistent and, finally, the bed of the river is an underutilized corridor that would connect many parks and many communes, under bridges, delivering type of mobility infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Santiago there",explains Echiburú.

The idea of the architects was adding a little strength between Santiago cycling world and getting followers. In addition to becoming one of the central points of both theses (both passed with flying colors), the project began to walk by himself.


“Map8pedaleable”

In practical terms the idea is: create a corridor into the bed of the river, more than nine miles long about who has the necessary infrastructure for pedestrians and athletes traveling together without having to be alert to traffic lights or crossings with motorized transport of any kind.

This entry plazas would be added, which would be located within the parks surrounding the river, by which athletes and pedestrian corridor enter & leave easily.

But what would happen in the winter with the rains? Simple. The corridor would be flooded virtuality to the flooding of the river and once it returns to its usual level, would do quite usable.

"The infrastructure is promoting basic and allows a flood last time-no more than five in a year, the ride can get back to doing regularly used," Larrain said.

Spice one of the darkest places of the city

Now, the question is ¿how one recovers the most 'dark' the whole city?

No lie that for years the Mapocho River has been an icon of which Santiago, and Chileans in general, have more ashamed than proud. For decades the stream has been synonymous with crime, poor health and pestilence.

Just to change this is to what point Echiburú and Larrain.

"What of the bike path is almost an excuse. In principle, we were interested in, and remains so, the box was to revitalize the river as a public space. It seemed a waste to have that place detached from the city when it has enough unique conditions of sunlight and views, among other", comment.

In short, what they want is that people do not take away from the river view is reencanten with him and that his attractive, inviting and feel the need to go down to him.

"That we needed a program, an excuse, give this space a new feature that would attract people, because in today's population is reluctant to approach the river. So what appeared as obvious was to use the space as a runner. We have channeled almost 7 km without interruption at ground level, which would make it much more expeditious and travel insurance", says Thomas.

¿How far is the Mapocho be pedaleable?


For Patrick Herman, president of the foundation 'Defend the city', the idea of the Mapocho Pedaleable is a unique opportunity that has citizenship.

"Imagine a place recover lost and also to add that functionality to be a runner crosses, and also connect seven communes. It's a terrific idea and a great opportunity for all who live in this city, "he says.

Moreover, and in addition to recovering a space which has no citizenship today, the initiative would make a tremendous driver of the bicycle as transportation within the city.


According to the latest figures estudiode bicycle flow, by Urbanism and Territory SA Live in the City and bikeways of Simon Bolivar (Ñuñoa) and Antonio Varas (Providence), the annual flow of bicycles in the urban area increased by 18% in the period 2005 to 2012. For example, in the bike lane of Antonio Varas 180 bicycles were reported in south-north direction during peak hours, while the figures in previous measurements barely reached the 150, or even less.

Precisely for this reason one of the spokesmen of the organization 'Happyciclistas, Pablo Arriaga says that approved an initiative like the Mapocho Pedaleable benefits for those in daily bicycle as their primary mode of transport would be plenty. "Imagine what it would save time in moving a person that makes a bike from the area of ​​Trustees to golf. It would be a tremendous benefit".

Similar believes Boris Barnet, Providence cyclist who regularly bike moves parks bordering the Mapocho. "Last time I participated in Forest Park Bicycle ride we ended up going down to the river to support the initiative of Thomas and Osvaldo, was a great experience. I think they really add much to the city", he says.


The truth is that after a year of the project began to have more coverage from the media (with notes in La Tercera and 24 Horas, for example) is being held today.

Lack of funding makes it impossible Larraín Echiburu and continue trying to bring the idea to something concrete. "The project is still on, but no funding, which makes it a bit slow. Anyway, have created some interesting partnerships with the Center for Public Policy at UC, for example, that have allowed some preliminary lift "feature.

However, the wall should be heavier than collapse, Thomas account is another. "Technically speaking, it's pretty simple to do the project. It can. Just evaluate the approaches and the dividing wall to view the most convenient way. Now, in political terms it is much slower. "And ends: "The project was presented in MINVU, MOP and Ministry of Transport. There is interest in advance, but no specific funds or more meetings with authorities. "

Is urban skateboarding sport more popular?

When it comes to urban sports, the first thing that comes to mind, almost immediately, is skateboarding. Why this specific sport is so popular, what their differences with other like BMX or Rollers?. The reasons range from the attachments to the culture, and the players know. They themselves corroborate a general thesis: skateboarding is like football extreme sports.

For Valentina Collao

 Walking the main skateparks Santiago, noticed the same scenario in each of them: youth on skateboards bowls are taken, hits and obstacles leaving little or nothing for those who practice or Rollers BMX. Not that there is rivalry between them is only the low turnout in the past compared to the first.

To Francisco Calquin, web magazine editor TheSkatefestival, the problem lies mainly in a matter of cost and supply, "is more cumbersome to have a bike and not much supply." Just search the internet only to realize that at least here in Chile only we find a store specializing in BMX bikes are. The same goes for street skates, but with less luck yet. Calquin also tells us that with skates or rollers are a matter of fashion, among skaters because there is a sense that the rollers are for girls and when time came back strongly to Chile, nobody appreciated enough.

Something similar is what I think Nicholas Illanes, part of BMXChile web team, for whom short supply suitable for BMX bikes compared to freestyle skateboarding is the cause of the differences between the popularity of both sports. However, another important factor stresses Illanes when noting differences, and how popular culture helped ensalsar more skateboarding. From video games to movies in the mid-nineties we were bombarded by the skateboarding. The video game series éxitososa Tony Hawk Pro Skater massified sport to all who had a Playstation at home. Movies as Kids, Paranoid Park, Lord of Dogtown, Machotaildrop, so also did their thing. If up to Bart, the famous television series The Simpsons, ride skate.

For Felipe Castro professional skateboarder, sponsored by the Chilean brand skateboard Gangsta, what happens to skateboarding lately and that has helped its mass, is the popularity it has gained among younger children. According to Felipe, many children prefer skateboarding even about football, this thanks to the falls, slips, tricks, etc., that can be done with it.

As we have reviewed, the factors can be many, but one way or another, our own culture has helped make skateboarding's favorite urban sports. The feeling of freedom and the option to even get on a micro or subway with him, is a unique opportunity that gives the shoe. The variety of models and designs, the history involved and the large supply in the market is making and will continue to skate the most popular urban sport.