Educational activities

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RESOURCE

ART OF THE CHOPPER for museum exhibit activities and education


Contents

Overview. . . .2

Exhibit. . . .3

Discussion guidelines. . . .4

Suggested activities. . . .6

Promotions. . . .10

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Overview As with many inventions, history shows several individuals designed motorcycle prototypes at the 20th century advent. Once stock motorcycles appeared, mechanics began taking them apart to improve performance. Those who kept the original frame and took off extra parts such as fenders called their creations “bobbers.� Returning World War II soldiers started modifying or "chopping" their U.S. motorcycle frames for the lighter look of motorcycles they had seen in Europe. Windshields, front fenders, big headlights, crash bars, big seats — these parts were removed on choppers that also sported raised handlebars and extended front ends. Choppers came to the public attention in the 1969 movie Easy Rider. Motorcycle companies began producing their own chopper versions in the 1980s. During recent years, the media has showcased these creations and their creators in Motorcycle

Mania and Monster Garage, and other shows.

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Exhibit

BOBBED: SHORTENED REAR FENDERS TO BETTER HANDLE A PASSENGER AND KEEP THE RAIN AND MUD COMING OFF THE REAR] Based on Tom Zimberoff's bestselling books, Art of the Chopper and Art of the Chopper II, the exhibition of 30 choppers integrates each artist's portrait with other documentary photographs and their motorcycles.

Billed as "one of the most amazing motorcycle exhibitions ever presented" during its initial appearance at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas, this exhibit is the first curated contemporary art exhibition consisting entirely of custom motorcycles. Anticipated questions • How did this exhibit originate? Tom Zimberoff compiled two best-selling books, Art of the Chopper and Art of the Chopper II.

CHOPPER: MOTORCYCLE THAT WAS EITHER MODIFIED FROM AN ORIGINAL MOTORCYCLE DESIGN ("CHOPPED") OR BUILT FROM SCRATCH TO HAVE AN AUTHENTIC APPEARANCE. LOW-RIDER: LOW FRAME TO GROUND CLEARANCE METAL FLAKE: SHINY METALLIC PAINTS RAKE: STRETCHED FRONT END MADE BY TILTING THE FRAME AND INSTALLING A LONGER FORK. SISSY BARS: VERTICAL BACKRESTS TO HOLD PASSENGERS

• How many motorcycles are here? Thirty choppers are on exhibit plus additional parts. • Who is in the photographs? Each chopper artist’s portrait is on display with other documentary photographs as well as their motorcycles.

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Discussion guidelines Museum staff Ask questions, such as “which one is your favorite? Why? What does the exhibition communicate about American society or our culture?” If viewers are interested in additional motorcycle viewing, suggest: Steel Toe Tour, at the 358,000-square-foot Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations in Kansas City, Mo., allows visitors to see a motorcycle built from fabrication and finishing through final assembly welding. The site also has a series of displays. The Kansas Motorcycle Museum is home to over 100 vintage and rare motorcycles of all various makes and models

Tour leaders Discussion about motorcycles has the potential to focus more on the vehicle than the means of expression. The challenge, too, is communicating with diverse groups, preconceived ideas about motorcycle culture, and lack of motorcycle mechanical knowledge. To structure conversation: Be clear about the goals of the exhibit

The exhibition is about the artists more so than the motorcycles,

Prepare for discussion

Familiarize yourself with motorcycle design and offer facts such as the inner hubs of the tires of Mike Brown’s motorcycle do not move.

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Be aware of your own reactions to the exhibit and determine what you find meaningful or inspiring

View additional information on chopper art and design, e.g., videos Art of the Chopper I and II or Art of the Chopper interview with Tom Zimberoff

Listen to observers

Reactions will vary; however, people of all ages enjoy the opportunity to talk about their observations, feelings, and topic knowledge

Encourage discussion with questions

What words or phrases describe these motorcycles? Or motorcycle? What colors did you see on the motorcycles? Did you notice any symbols on the motorcycles? What do you think the symbols mean? Do the motorcycles look alike? What is similar about the way they look? Different? How is the exhibit organized? Why are the artifacts arranged just so? How the motorcycle artists look in their photographs. Why do you think the photographs were I in black and white rather than color? Is this art? Would you rather have a motorcycle from a store or make your own?

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Suggested activities Goal: To understand the inspiration for motorcycle design Objective: To better understand the art form of motorcycle expression and expand definition of “art� These two stories demonstrate ways that art was used to convey a message.

James Cartier Memorial Motorcycle

The Martin Brothers

Each story is followed by discussion questions and activity suggestions to guide exploration. 6


James Cartier Memorial Motorcycle Source: 911 Memorial James Cartier was the sixth of seven siblings, and purchased his first motorcycle less than a year before 9/11. He quickly became an ardent and skilled biker, and rode often with his brother, John. On 9/11, James was part of a crew doing electrical work on the 105th floor of the South Tower. He used his cell phone to call members of his close-knit family several times, including one call to alert John that their sister Michele was in the

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS WHY MIGHT IT BE EASIER FOR SOME PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR MEMORIES OF A TRAGEDY THROUGH ART THAN CONVERSATION? IF YOU WERE TO DECORATE A MOTORCYCLE, FOR WHOM WOULD YOU DECORATE THE MOTORCYCLE? WHAT WOULD YOU PUT ON IT?

North Tower, which had just been struck by Flight 11. Weeks later, still awaiting official confirmation of his brother’s fate, John Cartier vowed to transform James’s

ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS

CHOOSE A DISASTER IN HISTORY 1988 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 into a “moving AND DESIGN A MEMORIAL FOR IT. tribute” to James and all who were killed on 9/11. That THINK ABOUT FOR WHOM THE promise is reflected in the bike’s ornamentation, which MEMORIAL IS FOR. includes references to some of James’s personal passions, such as his affection for the children’s book character Curious George. Because James was an apprentice member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a logo for Local 3 has been incorporated, with the bike’s front fender listing the names of the 17 members of that union who were killed. Patriotic symbols are also visible, with the rear fender dedicated to those motivated to enlist in the U.S. military as a result of the attacks. Visit http://www.911memorial.org/oral-histories to listen to John Cartier describe what James’ motorcycle means to him. Also included is Cartier’s description of creating a visual remembrance to victims of 9/11.

Note: This story and the site’s oral histories were developed by 911 Memorial.

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The Martin Brothers

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Adapted from Art of the Chopper Exhibit The bond between Joe and Jason Martin extends beyond brotherhood; they are business partners, too. Remarkably, having spent almost every day of their lives together, they enjoy each others’ company—in both senses of the word. After the family moved to Dallas, the boys’ parents divorced. The two teenagers earned their livings through high school. Joe taught himself to paint and stripe by studying magazine illustrations, Jason was busy learning business. They gradually became acquanted with the custom car scene. They had no experience with motorcyles when, one day, a local bike shop owner sent a paint job to Joe. One rider after another brought him a used Harley to paint. Word got around that his work was the best in town. Jason handled the marketing.The Martins worked on bikes in the living room of a rented house they shared because the garage was filled with cars in various stages of disrepair. Then they bought an outdoor shed, installed an exhaust fan and a space heater when the added

IF YOU BUILT A BIKE TO REPRESENT YOU, WHAT WOULD THE MOTORCYLE LOOK LIKE? JOE DOESN’T LIKE HIS MOTORCYLES TO “BE IN FASHION.” WOULD YOU WANT YOUR MOTORCYLE CREATIONS TO LOOK LIKE OTHERS? OR TO BE DIFFERENT? WHY? WHY DOES JOE SAY IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES JOE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO PAINT BY STUDYING MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATIONS. FIND AN ILLUSTRATION AND TRY TO CREATE THAT ILLUSTRATION WITH PAINT OR OTHER MEDIA. PLAY BIKE BUILD GAME,

workload of bikes outgrew the capcity of their erstwhile kitchencum-paint booth. The boys bought a couple of vintage Harleys for themselves and immediately shredded them without keeping track of how things fit back together. But they quickly figured out that Panheads and Shovelhead were elementary compared to the multi-cylinder engines with which they had been tinkering. “Every part of a bike is art” says Jason. “Ever part of it has to look right because it shows.” Joe adds, “ I build a bike to represent me — what I’m thinking at the time.” His thinking invariably bucks prevailing fashion. If vintage bikes are in, he’ll do something modern. If tall bikes get publicty, he’ll go long and low. Joe builds bikes with names like Trend Killer and Destroyer, dead giveaways for his contrarianism.

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Joe believes that, while an automobile can be modified, its basic design is indelible; it will always look like a Chevy, a Ford, or a Plymouth. It retains its brand identity. A custom motorcycle, on the other hand, is special. Starting with a blank slate, its engine is the only common denominator. An artist will consistently pull something out of his hat that no one has ever seen before, as the work of hundreds of imitators will attest. Joe has one beef about custom bikes. When they become too popular, they start to look alike. Well, of course, imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But he laments, “It’s like hearing your favorite song on the radio over and over again until you get tired of it.�

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Promotions Local vendors showcase (If you've

never ridden a motorcycle before, learn basic mechanics of riding, and much more. Find out what bike suits you as representatives and local vendors display their new models.) Jokers Gone Wild Poker Rally Ride-in bike show •Bikes and Beauties/Bike Chic (Fashion show or contest in which contestants use leather, T-shirts, patches, bandanas, and other biker clothing for inspiration) •“America’s Got Talent” Smage Brothers appearance

PROMOTIONAL PHRASES      

TWO-WHEEL EXCITEMENT STEELHORSE STAMPEDE ROAD HOUSE THUNDER THURSDAY THE HIGH PRIESTS OF HORSEPOWER LANE-SPLITTING LIBERTARIANS

SIGN: FOUR WHEELS MOVE THE BODY. TWO WHEELS MOVE THE SOUL. QUOTE: THAT'S ALL THE MOTORCYCLE IS, A SYSTEM OF CONCEPTS WORKED OUT IN STEEL. ROBERT M. PIRSIG, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

•Digital graffiti walls to design a custom bike •Parking lot fundraiser “Rumble and Roll” with diner food, big screen televisions, pool tables Motorcycle escort to next town

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The world of high fashion is dominated by a small number of couturiers whose glamorous, one-of-a-kind, over-the-top, and extravagantly expensive apparel debuts each season with much fanfare in the salons of cosmopolitan capitals throughout the world. From runway to rack, their designs initiate a process of trickle-down style in which Walmart copies dominate sales. The motorcycle industry, too, pays close attention to the seasonal splash of high-priced, high fashion at similarly aggrandized media events. Only instead of the runways of Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and New York I give you the streets of Sturgis, Daytona, Hollister, and Milwaukee. Instead of anorexic models wearing the latest Givency, Dior, Miyake, Armani, and Versace I give you the steroidand silicone-enhanced bodies epitomized by professional wrestlers and strippers astride the trendsetting creations of the builders represented within these pages. But this book is not about people who ride motorcycles per se or the hedonistic lives they might lead. It’s about guys who build $70,000 motorcycles to die for. It’s about their legerdemain with sheet metal, and their legendary personas. It’s not about biker culture; it’s about how these bikes are culture. Choppers are literally vehicles of self expression. Their creators have a talent for carving, pounding, and welding solid blocks of aluminum and sheet metal into art that moves, and moves the beholder. Handcrafting motorcycles is as much a way of life as a business. In his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Robert Pirsig wrote, “The ancient Greeks never separated art from manufacture in their minds, and so never developed separate words for them. Actually a root word of technology, techne, originally meant ‘art.’” That fits the bill nicely. Custom builders are the arbiters of change in the world of commercially produced motorcycles. What they define as high fashion—or, as the case may be, cool, trick, or bitchin’—will eventually drift down into the corporate abyss of mass production and media hyperbole. [Excerpt from Art of the Chopper introduction]

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