watch a video with the bike in action! I drove Sarah to and from the Oakland Courthouse for our recent wedding ceremony!
....
and the bike was also recently featured in Richmond Art Center's 'Field Reports' exhibition
with work by Barbara Kossy, Jessamyn Lovell, and myself
An exhibition displaying the works of three Bay Area artists who explore separate projects in which they each went out into the field to explore various aspects of communities in Richmond.
with a Reception for artists in all exhibitions (including Geographic Premonitions and ): Saturday, October 14, 4 - 8 pm
Barbara Kossy, a photographer who uses over 100 digital images to composite a 360-degree view of artists' studios from all over the world, focuses on Richmond artists in their studios.
Jessamyn Lovell, a documentary photographer best known for her series Catastrophe, Crisis, and Other Family Traditions, turns her camera to her own city by exploring the places and people of Richmond using a documentary approach to challenge stereotypes set forth by the media.
Jon Brumit, a conceptual artist best known for his artistic interactions with communities around the world, returns to the Richmond Art Center to display a bicycle taxi that he created from a German work bike, used to ferry around Richmond residents and others as the exhibition unfolds.
the Richmond Art Center is at 2540 Barrett Avenue (entrance at 25th Street) in Richmond, CA 94804. Phone # 510.620.6772, and online at www.therichmondartcenter.org
...
newest version of the single person bike taxi - complete with armrests, footrest, support brackets, rack for passenger's baggage, and sleek upholstered cushions .... created from a German work bike using various and numerous pre-rolled metal chair parts from IKEA, a used and modified boat cushion from the San Pablo Flea Market, zipties from Bauhaus builder's supply in Hamburg, a donated Brooks saddle from Amsterdam, some great cage pedals and many small parts from Edmond at Pioneer Bike Shop, and my terribly unpracticed welding technique (fortunately i do still know how to use a grinder and a jingle can!) ... maybe it's more like a parade rickshaw .... really does seem like the 'parade float in your honor' piece come to life, even if without a specific person in mind ..
rides given so far -
1. Almut - broken toe, FSK Radio station to S-Bahn Sternschanze - excited and seemed positive about the experience
2. Jan - from the Springer Media building to U-Bahn Rodingsmarkt - was pleased, made offer twice which I kindly refused
3. Danny Z - from Mosswood Park (Broadway) to Walgreen's at 34th and Telegraph
4. Sarah - from Macarthur Bart station to 34th and Telegraph (3 times so far)
5. Dave - around the Berkeley skatepark
6. Sarah - to the Oakland Courthouse for our recent wedding (and 12th anniversary since our illegal Nashville street wedding) and then through (what seemed like our own parade through) Chinatown dragging a beautiful cowbell and small artificial (foam) pumpkin
everyone having been given a ride so far is super enthusiastic and seems to enjoy a sensation they describe as 'floating', or 'sweet', or something akin to be treated like royalty .... it pleases me greatly to have made a tool or instrument that clearly defines a space for someone else within the structure, literally gives people a 'lift', can create a sensation or a kind of spectacle which mostly focuses attention on the passenger as someone special, and gives the passenger an uncluttered and unhurried experience without having to look over the driver's shoulders or head
numerous rides given so far, and one of the passengers (the mighty sarah) decided to give me a ride up and down the street one day, a real honor!
original hamburg version, modified only with spare bits and parts from the ikea returns / as-is section, and some zip ties and a few pieces of foam underlayment from the bauhaus building supply, much thanks to BORIS for loaning me his drill and jigsaw!!