One dream. One chance. To be the best. To be... RAD.
The cult reverence for director Hal Needham’s lightning fast-paced and super fun 1986 film RAD hasn’t ebbed in the past thirty-five years, inspiring new generations of devotees and BMX bike fanatics. That’s led to this year’s stunning Blu Ray release by the good people at Vinegar Syndrome, using a brand-new 4K restoration. The first audience to see the restoration should have been earlier this year at SXSW 2020... but, y’know.
What you likely didn’t know is that we had a little something special planned for the SXSW audience members, something we’re able to share now. In partnership with our friends at Circle Collective and Utopia, and with the 4K restoration of RAD set to be released on digital VOD this Friday with bonus footage and an exclusive Q&A moderated by The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone, we’re honored to bring you this limited edition poster release for RAD from artist JJ Harrison.
Styled after the bright, bold aesthetic of mid-’80s poster design, JJ’s piece is a joyous celebration of the BMX bike craze of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and the influence it’s had on the past four decades of sports and youth culture.
"When I was a kid, we didn't have the MCU. We had RAD. Christmas, '87, my poor parents pulled together every resource to make sure Santa put a beautiful pacific blue GT Performer under the tree. It was my Red Ryder BB Gun and it was the most glorious sight my 8-year-old eyes had ever seen. Old Saint Nick had my worn-out VHS of RAD to blame for such an imposing request. From the first minute of freestyle BMX magic to the last, RAD is still dazzling today. Mondo sent me an angel with this project and I can only hope I've done it some justice." – JJ Harrison
JJ Harrison’s RAD screenprinted poster is an edition of only 175 and goes on sale tomorrow – Thursday the 9th – at 11AM Central via The Drop.
Rad Screenprinted Poster. Art by JJ Harrison. 24" x 36". Edition of 175. Ships worldwide. Expected to ship September 2020. $50.
