Judge 2010

Corinne Tâche-Berther

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND CO-PUBLISHER, 7SKY MAGAZINE (SWITZERLAND)

All about the zeitgeist, 7sky magazine is a inspirational source for anyone passionate about surfing, skating and snowboarding. Corinne “Coco” Tâche-Berther, Editor-in-Chief and co-publisher, has overseen the magazine’s emergence as a significant outlet for the creative and spiritual side of freesports for twenty years.
 
As well as intimate interviews and intelligent articles about new pioneers and passions in the freesports community, the magazine is held together by stunning photography and a philosophical editorial approach that pushes the boundaries of layout and content. “I love bringing new, unexpected images into our magazine” says Coco when asked about her editorial direction. What makes a great photo for 7sky? “For me, it’s the first impression, harmonic compositions, photos that tell stories. And for sure their mood and feeling and how it touches me.”
 
Typical of the 7sky’s aim to create a real bond with its readership was its “Emotion Issue” in November 2008. Eleven well known writers from the surf/skate/snowboard-scene wrote emotional stories to be interpreted by eleven song-writers. Contributors included the adventurer Mike Horn, former Method Mag editor Jason Horton, the surf journalist Michael Kew and the all-round creative genius Andrew Kidman.
 
As well as editing articles and photos, Coco is heavily involved in organising trade shows and fashion shows for 7skygreenroom – a platform for green shopping. Asked why the magazine took this direction, Coco explains that it is reflects the freesports community’s concerns: “It’s a very unique and well realised concept that not only informs people about the next steps to undertake if we want to live in a greener world, but it also brings together shops, companies, foundations and shopping under one same roof. It’s time to share!”
 
Her interest in Red Bull Illume is linked to her own ambition of promoting portfolios of the best snow, surf and skate photographers around. In particular, Coco wants to ensure that the best experimental and artistic photos are published and get the attention they deserve: “I remember very well 4 years ago, when we made a portfolio with the favorite photos from 10 snowboard photographers and asked them what they thought that the next steps would be in photography. It was a pretty disappointing come-out, no artistic work. It had absolutely nothing to do with the creativity that reigns right now and there is still so much to do.”

Coco hopes that Red Bull Illume – “an amazing project, it’s 7sky!” – will continue to support the artistic intentions of photographers in action and adventure sports.

www.7skyvintage.ch