Bike As Art

Back in September, CatskillsCycling.com did a write-up on a local Fleischmanns artist who does one hell of a job at turning the simple act of cycling into art.  His name is Fred Woller.  He is yet another example of the great diversity of characters from the Catskill Park Region.  Fred is by no means a cycling champion or race promoter, or even a carbon bike owner.  He and his wife are like many other people; in that, they simply enjoy as many hours on two wheels as they can get. 

Scott Ackerman - Fred Woller

I've seen some of Fred's work before, and even put some images up here before.  But this past Saturday I was invited to an opening of his and another artist (Scott Ackerman) at Oriole 9 in Woodstock, NY.  When I walked in, it was great to see a good many people enjoying the evening.  However, when I turned to view Fred's paintings, the first thing you notice is not bicycles, but rather shapes and the vibrancy of them.  Art is like flowers - different ones look good to different people.  However, the subject matter of Fred's work isn't what makes his paintings beautiful, and I urge you to contact him if you are interested in fine art. Particularly if you are interested in Bike as Art.

You must see these paintings in person.  They are worth the $$

Then I got to thinking how integral cycling has become to the art world in general.  I started thinking maybe this is why the bicycle has its deepest root in France.  The people of France tend to have a keen eye towards what is beautiful.  

For those of us who call ourselves cyclists, the beauty of the bicycle goes far beyond the object itself.  

Much of the beauty that is found in cycling is the basic freedom to move about in a self-propelled way.  Kids recognize this immediately, and in my opinion, that feeling only gets better with time and age.  Filling your tank at the local gas station gets really old after doing a few hundred times.  It just isn't the same as clicking into those pedals after throwing a leg over the bike.  


Legs, Lungs, and Heart - that is really what the bicycle is about.  Healthy legs, lungs, and heart are the fertilizer of a healthy mind.  A healthy mind is a creative one.  Want to do better at your job?- ride a bike. Want to have better focus in life?- ride a bike. Want to be able to set goals and achieve them?- you guessed it.  What a life of cycling teaches can not be taught at the best schools or bought with all the money in the world.  And it's something all cyclists know.


I'd beg to argue, one of the greatest societal forces is the artist on a bicycle. 


The bike and bicycling are beautiful.  And if the bike is beautiful, then the bike is art. 

THE MAN WHO LIVED ON HIS BIKE from Guillaume Blanchet on Vimeo.

No more excuses.  Get on it!