ArtCrank Update

Here are a couple of pictures from my recent trip to the ARTCRANK poster party at Chrome. Judging by how crowded it got, I’d have to say it was a successful night. Remember, for every $30 print sold, ARTCRANK and Chrome will donate $4 to Bikes To Rwanda. Great idea and it’s spreading fast.

These were two of my favorite prints. I bought the yellow skeleton wheelie and the purple/pink pedal above.

I also stopped by 111 Minna before heading to the show and was really impressed by their current show “Love It or Leave It.” I was immediately drawn to the work of Marco Zamora. Some of his stuff is below, also very bike-centric:

Bikes as Art

I cannot ride my bike enough in this city. It’s electric. Unlike NYC, where I am almost positive riding will get me killed, San Francisco has been an absolute playground for Blanca (left).

Not only does cycling help keep me fit (kinda) and provide all the adrenaline I need, it has also helped reshape my values. I am much more environmentally and civically conscious. As a proud, card-carrying member of the SF Bicycling Coalition and Spur Urban Center I am eager to volunteer for a few upcoming events to help promote this healthy and creative mode of travel.

One of these kick ass events is coming up this weekend. It’s hosted by ArtCrank and sponsored by Chrome Messenger Bags, a SF cycling staple.

This event, like another I’ll touch on soon, is a great way to embed an urban sport like cycling into street art culture. That’s not to say that there isn’t already a natural connection. Bikes are just extensions of our personal brands. They reflect who we are and what we have to say. They are easily customized and designed to brighten up the city streets and flash some style while weaving in and out of frustrated motorists.

The fixie trend has definitely brought some additional awareness about cycling too (although I’m not too keen on riding something without brakes). Either way, bicycles are evolving as a legitimate creative medium that should be recognized.

Recently, one gallery connected the dots and dedicated a huge installation to the bicycle. The exhibit, which was titled “Bicycles: people + ideas in motion” was curated by Lorie Mertes, Director at The Galleries at Moore. The final product was an exploration of the art and design of bikes and their impact on urban landscape.

I wish I could’ve seen Ryan Humphrey’s installation (below) in person. Mertes was quoted saying that “Humphrey draws inspiration from Evel Knievel, Eddy Van Halen and Duchamp.” That’s awesome.

UP x Chrome: Artist Series Bags

This is sweet. Upper Playground and Chrome have teamed up to produce an artist series of messenger bags inspired by the work of Sam Flores and Jeremy Fish.

The article states, “Flores and Fish have created compelling designs that are embroidered on the front flap of the Chrome Bag. Jeremy Fish’s “Fowl Mood” design features an elaborate owl “wall paper” pattern, while Sam Flores’ “Angel of Death” art features one of his signature characters riding a bicycle amongst the clouds.”

Read the whole press release here.