Motorcycle=art

When I think of art, I reflect on what has been introduced to me over the years. What first comes to mind is the framed pieces of pastel or watercolor pictures so carefully placed on walls around my house and the sculptures put high out of reach on the mantel (as to make sure they are out of reach of children's hands or any accidental danger).

I think of the art classes I took as a child where I learned about different mediums and my failed efforts to mimic the famous watercolors of Claude Monet, or whichever person I was taught was a "master" in a certain style.

Art, to me, was thought of as still objects created to be appealing to the eye or express whatever it is the artist wants to portray. 

If I were told at a young age that motorcycles were considered to be artwork, I would have laughed and very seriously doubted the source of this absurd information. 

I mean, what does Monet and a motorcycle have in common besides the first letter M anyway?

Even now, several years later, when I heard about "The Art of the Chopper" exhibit featuring 30 one-of-a-kind motorcycles built as contemporary works of art, visiting the Appleton Museum of Art from October 2009 until  Jan. 10 2010, I was skeptical.

 I was curious how a motorcycle used to travel roads and endure all sorts of weather could be placed in a museum with so many delicate pieces of art and treasured artifacts preserved through the centuries.

The answer came clear to me with one look of the choppers displayed in the Appleton. A quick read-up about the bikes and the artists and builders helped also. 

The bikes are not simply created then splashed with paint to look fancy.

Bare essentials of a bike are carved, pounded, welded into solid blocks of aluminum and sheet metal to build a sculpture that moves.

It is all a detailed and intricate process because a chopper looking good is not enough. It has to have the ability for a person to ride to be considered notable or have any purpose for that matter. 

Going to the Appleton's exhibit of "The Art of the Chopper" not only gave me new sense of what is considered to be art, but entertained me as well. 

As soon as I walked into the doors where "The Art of the Chopper" was displayed, I was instantly greeted by a curator and was shown how the exhibit was set up. 

Choppers were set up in an organized fashion with written information about the bike, its builder and its artist directly in front of it as to make it easy for viewers to obtain instant facts and a description without a Google search.

I was impressed with the design and detailed painting/features added to the appearance of the bikes. 

Some of the bikes were designed so eccentric looking they seemed impossible to ride. It was stated that for certain bikes, riders had to "lean completely flat on their stomachs" or "stand up at all times!" 

The "Holler Roller", made by Mike Brown, was one of the bikes design that specifically sticks out. It looks like it would not be able to run by looking at it. It turns out it is engineered to run on friction alone.

The detailed painting of vibrant colors made a lasting impression on me. It amazed me that such intricate patterns and pictures could be painted on a bike because of the obscure angle the artists were required to work from. 

Some of the choppers had additional features added on to them as well. One of the features I liked were chains placed on the body of a bike as to make the theme of the bike even more clear.

All in all, the exhibit was very interesting although the choppers displayed in the front were more exciting than the ones in the back.

It seems to fascinate usual museum go-ers and different types of people as well.

"As a cultural center it's our mission to provide a cultural experience for everyone," said Steven Spect, marketing director. "We are serving a population that hasn't been served before."

It was stated that several groups of bikers including the Ocala Chrome Ladies have visited the exhibit.

One group in particular said, "We rode our bikes 100 miles to see this!"

Because the Appleton branched out by being the first art museum to display this particular exhibit, it has enabled people to expand their horizons to a different era of art.

Bottom line: "Art of the Chopper" is a must-see. It's edgy in both style and structure, which is a good thing.