- 20 bicycles selected by Eric Fischl and Ryan Long from the collection of The Bicycle Museum of America, New Bremen, Ohio, along with artworks by Jarbas Lopes and Studio Drift
- A selection of over 25 photographs curated by Mark Lubell, photo scholar and former Executive Director of the International Center of Photography in New York City, and Jennifer Tripp, photo expert formerly with Magnum Photos
- 2 contemporary art videos by Bas Jan Ader and Bari Kumar selected by Sara Cochran
The bikes from The Bicycle Museum of America focus on the engineering and design innovations that have marked the vehicle’s development. Ranging from the 19th century chainless Velocipede (aka the "Boneshaker”) and the High Wheel (aka the “Penny-farthing”) to the Safety Bicycle (so-called because the wheels were of equal size and the rider was seated further back on the bike and less likely to be thrown over the handlebars) to Cruisers and Racing bikes. They illustrate the centrality of the issues of comfort, design, and speed to this ongoing engineering obsession.
The photographs in the exhibition explore the lives of people around the world over the past century with the bicycle as a common denominator. An evolving icon of our age, the subject of people on their bicycles has fascinated a diverse group of photographers and artists.
The object and its uses have changed our lives. As Susan B. Anthony stated: “Bicycling… has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance.” As these artworks illustrate, that sense of agency and autonomy are available to all of us old or young, regardless of gender or geographic location when we get on a bike and ride. VIA
Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, OH -- Elgin Twin Bar Bicycle, 1940
The Elgin Twin Bar was one of the most expensive bicycles that you could buy from Sears in the 1940s. It was the most unusual design of the pre-World War II balloon tire era.
Elaine Constantine (British, b.1965) Girls on bikes, 1997
Archival pigment print, 32 x 46 in Courtesy the artist
Dexter Boneshaker, 1869 (Replica) Cast Iron
This type of velocipede’s wheels are based on the wheels of horse-drawn carriages with wooden spokes and rims held together by bands of steel. The front wheel is slightly larger than the rear one. It has rod brakes and pedals directly attached to the axle of the front wheel. The steering column is straight while the main tube holding the seat is curved to cushion the ride.
Huffman Manufacturing Company, Dayton, OH -- Huffy Radiobike, 1956
About 8,500 Huffy Radiobikes were produced between 1955 and 1956 by the Huffman Manufacturing Company. It has an early version of a portable battery pack that powered the radio and speaker mounted under the top tube of the bike. The radio is a three vacuum tube radio and was produced by the Yellow Springs Instrument Company in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The Radiobike was a single speed bicycle and came in three color options. However, the radio was hazardous in inclement weather: riders reported seeing sparks from the radio and there were fears of electrocution in the rain.
Vivian Maier (American, 1926-2009) New York, NY, 1954
Silver gelatin print (ed. 1/15), 20 x 16 in Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York
© Vivian Maier/Maloof Collection
Popular in the 1870s and 1880s, the Large wheel, also known as the Penny-farthing or High wheel, is an early type of bicycle. I climbed up for a test drive just before this gentleman gave it a go. The early bicyclists would have needed good balance!
Love this photo of the girl sitting on her bike at the phone. Cell phones are more convenient, but less picturesque. Forty three years ago, like yesterday! I thoroughly enjoyed today's adventures. My inspiration tank has been refilled!
