Sperry Top-Sider / Sea Project Book

to all who call the sea their muse.

A PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION CURATED FROM A GLOBAL AUDIENCE AND INSPIRED

BY THEIR OWN PASSION FOR THE SEA.

9,322

images submitted

from an audience of

2,672,545

spanning

37

countries

&

with

1,755,514

“likes”

6

continents

foreword Since inventing the world’s first boat shoe, Sperry Top-Sider continues to share a Passion for the Sea with those who enjoy the good life in, on and around the ocean.

The Sea Project is an on-going series of culture-driven projects that fuels the exploration of the surf, sun and soul of the ocean by the artist in all of us.

Inspired by a “Passion for the Sea”, these creative initiatives celebrate the power and spiritual pull of the ocean through diverse mediums. The unique undertaking for 2013, #mypassionforthesea, is a fan-based Instagram photography & original artwork collection, gallery exhibit & limited edition book project.

The ocean is our inspiration – a source of constant amazement for our team.

Yet, we didn’t expect to be as touched by the real emotion and raw power captured in these photographs.

Each diverse image telling its own individual story, pulling us into a moment in time brought to life through someone’s unique filter and lens. The variety was both overwhelming and exciting - with nearly 10,000 contributed images documenting and celebrating the infinite moods that can be unleashed by the sea. Each image revealing the many ways we can all interact, enjoy, appreciate, fear and ultimately experience the awesome beauty and power of the ocean.

Sharing these makes our passion even stronger.

Sperry Top-Sider

$5 of every book sold in this First Edition will be donated to support and continue the mission and programs of Ocean Conservancy. oceanconservancy.org

from the curator In, on and around the ocean - simply put, the “good life.”

We all know it.

Those days with too much salt in our eyes.

The moment we know it’s too cold - but we go under anyway.

The peace we find by the never ending horizon of blue.

To us, nothing can be more inspiring. What is so interesting, and something that has truly been the dna of this project, is how this inspiration can mean so many different things, to so many different people, in so many different places.

It is always our goal, in any project we are a part of, to ensure that anyone can find something to claim their own. To be an integral part of the experience not just experience part of it.

This exploration was the goal for The Sea Project - #mypassionforthesea.

To put the power of the artist in the hands of anyone, from anywhere.

To enable anyone, young or old, from near or far, professional photographer or pedestrian, to not only be a part of this project - but to create this project.

The sea connects us all - as so proven within these pages.

And it is our own personal interaction with it, and the inspiration we gain from it, that is truly the pearl inside the oyster.

The Fin Studio

@thefinstudio

“I’m here quite often” California

@reyesrachel

@joe_mueller36

@beamayo

@leighoviatt

@kimroseadams

@googlenncocoE

@bdsocali86

@sarakaplanart

@chilichopling

@elirius

@gefe

@idemo @juegodelitronos @linamariabylund @alijardine

@mayayakobi @milleric5 @proudnewenglander @joshnamdar

“it’s such a beautiful day” #sea #seascape #minimal

England

@kitsunetsukiki

@jon_hare

@sugahill

@alijardine

@nick_roache

@valerotti

@lidoraka

@Zannah-N.

@kccchiang

@wahyuy

@jmpensacola

@monnomsods @fetist @fysheye @johngramers

@seesavako @malteseshralper @nkingstone @veronikalogar

#nakedudes Philippines

@Lakwatserong-K

@jnsntylr

@kccchiang

@naindu

@denef

@abmyn

@fotomakerdennis

@nady83

@evlope

@korzhov_dmitriy

@mariastab

@misvincent @westaysalty @nady83 @leahfisher

@nickekh @spatari @spaceytracy @pcow05

“Too much water in one place not enough somewhere else” #water #ocean #lifeproof #mar #sea #guaruja

Brazil

@gaby_midori

@seafog14

@asa_taylor

@kimroseadams

@v1ncetse

@jinksx2

@ercumentsener

@ulie

@cafelabstudio

@thirdeyeimagination

@cponceactual

@tiff_day @sandy_hughes @bixbyfilms @nkingstone

@alaska_112 @burt_meets_world @britjaye @jennlovesss

“Minimaliste” France

@xavibes

@katiebahama

@zzooouhh

@georgephillips99

@therealstarless

@falauran

@nickfu98

@zzooouh

@k5_graphicdesigner

@renedaniel_

@awolfe0619

@caylateller @ballrobotprojector @vincefoto @llpadros

@arajuani @piergiorgiocatti @amronacer @atfunk

“Escaping from all messes in Bangkok” Thailand

@oil_krit

@dsloanphoto

@marcelinodf

@vincefoto

@cyeetheworld

@fblackbu

@lenamimoscow

@savigusma

@westcoastlife

@vasumitra

@nikonguyy

@ngyukhang @elib917 @lemanudemars @dyahwahanadp

@abrakadabrag @ercumentsener @uhkrit @amart805

“Got this one blown up on my wall, could look at it every day” Israel

@henryslaughter

@jackyp89

@alpinizmir

@paoloska

@filledusoleil

@kimberlymufferi

@pead

@jenniferlawell

@instaashel

@blackeyedsuzy

@arajuan

@adrian_hansen @ayysams @cyeetheworld @zlata_arapidou

@richiecornell @goodbrave @tylerlinahan @jacque_smit

“Lurking”

Guam

@junbobber

@valyetserge

@carlosclaver0

@gabrielcs_

@claralamai

@valyetserge

@scg90

@elirius

@goddie80

@reinersmile

@aquamarinade

@karklick @sharksugar_dotcom @maysgrafx @mariiiah_powell

@reyesrachel @_ericm_ @chilichopling @valter_moita

Our Favorites

The following ten pages showcase images selected by the judges panel of this year’s Sea Project that evoke the spirit of the sea, the ambition behind this collection and highlight the creativity and passion uncovered along the course of this endeavor.

Nate Hooper, The Popular Workshop Tiff Shum, Hypebeast Magazine Karen Pitts, Sperry Top-Sider Shannon Crownover, Ocean Conservancy Trevor Moore, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider Athlete Jim McGinley, The Fin Studio Tyler Lauren McGinley, The Fin Studio

“a bp sa ti nrtaecrtli yo n California

”

From one perspective this photograph reads as an almost painterly abstraction, presenting two abstract yet familiar fields of color and texture against one another. these textures are immediately recognizable as frothing water and a sandy beach.

This tension evokes both a sense of nostalgia but also an ambiguity in terms of a specifically recognizable locale, -NH

@seacannon

“hFoardi iznogn The North Sea

”

Buoys, ice, and a fading horizon offer clues (but not answers) to a mysterious and unfamiliar face of the ocean.

The viewer is challenged to create his or her own narrative through these fragmented and ominously nuanced visual cues. -NH

@awaissultan

“MNAON California

”

Simple and strong, makes me think of ”No Man is an Island” this quotation from John Donne (1572-1631). -TS

@frigginyonsik

“ m y s vt iebrei o u s ” Location Unknown

The composition, color and reflection give this image of the sun a mysterious vibe. Makes you feel like you are somewhere else another planet even. Thankfully, that other planet has an ocean & sun as well... I’ll be there if you need mE. -TS

@filledusoleil

“ P E DR AF EY C T ” Hawaii

Memories are created on a perfect day at the beach when all of us regardless of our age-become kids again. -KP

@Marina-G

“c ta rp at pi vp ae td e/ d Location Unknown

”

Looking like a scene from an Ingmar Bergman film, the tremendous power and energy of the sea is captured. The boy doesn’t know whether to move closer to the waves or swim away – frozen by churning water and the approaching storm. The deep colors and texture of sky and sea blend together in nature’s perfect classroom. This sense of being both trapped / captivated by something bigger than oneself makes you want to hold your breath. -KP

@misvincent

“I NOSCPEI AR NE S South Carolina

”

This was my favorite photo as it reminds me of how the ocean inspires each of us in a unique and beautiful way.

The ocean transformed this piece of driftwood into a work of art, giving it renewed life. -SC

@joe_mueller36

“ p r octoevcet e d ” Norway

I chose this specific shot for one glowing reason I want to be there. Anchored at sea, in a quiet protected cove with nothing but a slight breeze, the sun and blue skies competing for my attention. -TM

@solvefug

“ c o mf omruunmi t y ” California

Within this image I see the message of community. Whether a sailor, kayaker, fisherman, swimmer, or surfer - the sea provides the largest community forum in the world. One where silence is preferred and sharing is given. Take that Facebook. -JM

@mnolt

A “ mermaid The Black Sea

”

Plain and simple - I have always wanted to be a mermaid, sometimes I think I actually am, and this image makes it look so easy. -TLM

@grega_alexandra

“On the Santa Cruz Wharf” #beach #sunset #santacruz #California

California

@mvargasphoto

@imagesbymin

@moreless

@seacannon

@sad_eyes

@jamieleecoulson @spirson @lululaurenkemp @sweetet

@cyrillenice @trujillojuanp @larubi @piaallan

@grainsurfboards

@twofriendsphotos

@datrealtor

@pcunha71

@seacannon

@jhezamyne

@farnazzzz

@crystalleisureart

@82seba

@rgreayer

@mvargasphoto @wetnosesphotography @shannonmcconnell_ @galck

@samper44 @flytorcam @gaby_midori @diegodebeer

“La felicita sta nelle piccole cose” ( Happiness lies in the small things ) Italy

@evelant

@sunkissed_sweetheart

@parangon_de_vertu

@momovomo

@dyahwahanadp

@giorgillo

@atims

@sarahpurto

@nicolaarnold

@justcallme_iren

@ehmotion

@kalvinn @l_autre_stef @lachlin @rawpiqs

@jonathilton @ricoharden @_b1_ @rosswilkinson

“This just happened” #sunsets

MAINE

@mark_marchesi

@domitils

@Carmelisse-S.

@amronacer

@molly_mcginley

@galck

@daisy_eetp

@Matt-E.

@jimbobmcintosh

@jeffmolyneaux

@kiersten_nelson1221

@lidorlerden @planet_charles @amygeorgia @diazgabriel

@atfunk @rawpiqs @mayayakobi @elirius

“Trekking down to catch some surf” #maui

Hawaii

@brandyhitchcock

@nyterps

@wahyuy

@kirstenfg

@misvincent

@alexisweaver

@trujillojuanp

@jelicanin

@farnazzzz

@olgavimo

@kimroseadams

@planet_charles @seacannon @annarbauer @thelifestyling

@ferranarcE @walterfairfax @mrluick @rgreayer

“I can’t be certain, but I believe #vietnam #sunsets rival California’s” Vietnam

@bdsocali86

@misvincent

@jelicanin

@pietrotebaldiph

@gefe

@atfunk

@kellebag

@henryslaughter

@estellanicole

@alijardine

@amberdegrace

@lilredgreen @zzooouhh @atfunk @francisyannick

@kimroseadams @jean_carlo_marquez @leannaabanana @therealstarless

“Olas de destrucci0n masiva”” ( waves of mass destruction ) Canary Islands

@pqrdesign

@brumec

@jelicanin

@iamhugohearmebark

@pcunha71

@imj

@blaueengel

@n3t1o

@mhonsterfish

@vincefoto

@Christian-C.

@donotdelete @Botta-R. @2408mike @jafenz

@brumec @johnnyporvoo @zzooouhh @henryslaughter

“Doomsday swell, Long Beach Island” #restoretheshore #hurricanesandy

New Jersey

@Ann-C.

@louisefeige

@bdsocali86

@beamayo

@darko_lesinger

@pritt

@jelicanin

@therealstarless

@mpesendorfer

@mhonsterfish

@pcunha71

@Christian-C. @erikajanderson @beamayo @cschoonover

@dsloanphoto @mark_marchesi @cyeetheworld @leighoviatt

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day and they’re absolutely free, Don’t miss so many of them” - Jo Walton Malaysia

@s_z

@MASTHEAD @

THANK YOU, TO the thousands of contributors who made this project possibLE. may you continue to be inspired daily by your Passion for the Sea.

The Sea Project, First Edition Presented & Produced by Sperry Top-Sider Lexington, Massachusetts sperrytopsider.com Curated, Designed & Published by The Fin Studio Falmouth, Maine thefinstudio.com Exhibited at The Popular Workshop San Francisco, California September 12 - 15, 2013 thepopularworkshop.com Special Thanks Paul Sperry The Popular Workshop SFAQ

the-sea-project.com

The Sea Project First Edition, Hardcover ISBN 978-0-578-12886-3 copyright 2013 All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission from The Sea Project.

All images and/or captions remain the copyrighted material of each author except for the limited rights assigned for the gallery exhibit and for the publishing of this book & any subsequent editions.

Published by The Fin Studio 95 Falmouth Road Falmouth, Maine 04105 thefinstudio.com for ordering or other questions visit: the-sea-project.com proudly printed in the USA on FSC certified paper using vegetable-based inks.