 "One hundred and thirty years ago neither the bicycle nor the engine existed in the forms we know today. In 1868, Michaux Perreaux designed and pattened a steam engine, which was installed in the first commercially successful pedal bicycle-type frame; by 1984, the Hilderbrand brothers and Alois Wolfmüller had patented a water-cooled, two cylinder gasoline engine in a bicycle-type frame, the first commercially produced motorcycle with an internal-combustion engine." - Ultan Guilfoyle, Curatorial Adviser (Quote taken from the "The Art of the Motorcycle" guide) The show currently running at the uptown
Guggenheim Museum, curated by Thomas Krens of the Solomon R. Guggenheim
Foundation and assisted by Ultan Guilfoyle and Sarah Botts is a surprisingly
accurate and honest chronology of the evolution of the motorcycle over
the last hundred and thirty years. My initial concern was that the
exhibit would be prejudiced by the corporate sponsors (BMW) or that
the history would be viewed through the distorted perspective of a New
York Art Historian. It was not. Quite simply the show was equitable,
beautiful and most importantly, fun.
All motorcycles were represented equally and placed in a visual time-line starting at the base of "the cows stomach" with a steam powered bicycle, (complete with leather saddle, wood spoke wheels and leather belt drive) and terminating at the top floor of the museum in a separate gallery installed with various late '90s Enduros, Street and Road Race bikes placed on a flowing wood set (looks kind of like a skate board ramp). The familiar rail that spirals up the museum's center has been covered with chrome plates that adds an exciting sense of motion and cohesiveness to the time-line. What you won't find is super custom glamsters, "No Fear" plastic crotch rockets, hi-tech concept bikes, or lame yuppie weekenders. This is not a Javits Center Auto Show. Only bikes that were important evolutionary steps are present . A completely stock 1972 Honda CB750 is given precedence over any kind of company concept bike that never made it to production. The only departure from this disciplined approach is the presence of a replica of the "Easy Rider" Harley Davidson "Captain America" custom chopper. Admit ably this deviation was irresistible and is therefore excused. The show is a definite must see for the motorcycle enthusiast or those interested in industrial design, mechanics, or related fields. The bikes are so stock that you'll have to fight the urge not to swipe an oil cap or whatever piece may be missing from your own bike. M.Brown
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