PHILOSOPHER snowboard

In a collaboration envisioned by Jesse Lee Wilson, world-renowned contemporary artist Jeff Koons partnered with Burton Snowboards founder and pioneer of the sport Jake Burton to design a one-of-a-kind snowboard. The “Philosopher” was born out of this unprecedented partnership, and a limited run of 50 boards produced. Jake Burton spent a year refining the physical shape and character of the board for maximum performance, while Jeff Koons refined the concept for the board’s graphics. Koons’ interest was to look at the sport of snowboarding through the lens of philosophy starting with Plato’s Cave, suggesting the experience of riding is transcendent and resembles the act of walking out of the Cave in a heightened state of consciousness. Koons & Burton generously agreed to donate all proceeds from this project to benefit the Chill Foundation, raising over $250,000 for their mission.