Hanging Bike Gallery
There were many sights I thought would be wonderful for photography but of course I had not brought my camera! Oh well, I thought, I can return as it is not far from my apartment in Corvallis.
Just then I whizzed by an older homestead -- instantly noticing a wire fence fronting its property that had at least fifty different kinds of old bikes hanging from it. It appeared as an art gallery. Only I thought of it more as a folk expression. The homesteader apparently had a folksy creative mind and used it in the bike display.
Children's bikes lining the fence with adult bikes in the background
The next day I was back at the bike gallery on the country road looking for the owner of the property. No one was home. So I took the liberty to photograph the bikes. Surely the owner was proud of his display. His bikes came in all sizes for both adult and children -- and all colors and other bike attributes. It certainly was an eye stopper. As I was taking photos a cyclist rode by -- he gawked at the display -- wide-eyed as he rode by.
Child's bike with training wheels
I believe the concept of this gallery display is both industrial and environmental. However the underlying message is probably folk spun from the homesteader's experience.
What do you think?
Wild!
ReplyDeleteFurry Gnome -- Yes, it was WILD!. Pure expression. thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post very much. I "collect" photos of bicycles myself, but I have never seen anything like this. Eye stopper is to weak an expression :-)
ReplyDeletevisualnorway -- You would have enjoyed seeing this display of old bikes. I had never seen anything like this in all my travels. Who ever created the gallery was a folk artist I think. Perhaps you can share your bike photos on your blog some day. thanks -- barbara
DeleteThey all seem to go the same direction. Riding around, raceing around, rambling around. I wonder .....
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- not all the bikes were going in the same direction. Creating this bike gallery was probably lots of fun for the owner. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI think it's just wonderful! I adore drawing bicycles, did a blog post on it several months ago. And adore the whole concept of the bike and used to adore riding, am shakier these days.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I just loved your comment about my stars, Thank You!!!
I love that you felt "an aura of goodness" as you went down that road. Sounds like being happy, joyous and free!
Rita --- Yes, I have noticed the bikes in your drawings before! Right now bikes remind me of Oregon State University in Corvallis -- students by the hundreds are cyclists in our town. I, like you, was a bike rider at one time but am a bit shaky thinking about taking up the sport again -- maybe I would if it was a three wheeler or had training wheels like the child's bike in my post. thanks for the comments about the stars. -- barbara
DeleteBikes are an interesting use for art.
ReplyDeleteThis gallery seems to represent unconventional outsiders art -- outside the boundaries of cultural ways. I loved it! thanks -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteThis is interesting. I enjoy all types of Folk Art. I can't say I have seen bicycles in this form, before.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- Oh yes. folk art is a favorite on mine too. Would love to view some ofyour folk art. -- thanks barbara
DeleteLovely to find such a collection on display out in the country...and now it has been shared all over by you! I knew some bicycle repair folks who also sold used bikes somewhat like this, but they also had junk parts of cars, so it was not as pretty.
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- What comes out of a creative mind always intrigues me. I believe the owner of these bikes has a natural instinct to be creative and enjoy life. At least that is what I think. thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
DeleteWell it doesn't fit my Germanic neat & organized disposition but each to his own. A neighbor of mine has lots of his old work boots strung out along the metal fence posts on hIs farm...:)
ReplyDeletetroutbirder -- thanks for your comment. As my Germanic mother used to say -- to each his own. I think the boots along your neighbor's fence posts would be fun to see. I love simple innovations. Perhaps you could share your neighbors creations with us. -- barbara
DeleteBikes hanging on fences? We see it in Cambridge all the time; drunken University students are usually to blame. Every so often they manage to hang one on a streetlight or high on a public building too. In my childhood bikes were never wasted but constantly repaired and recycled (sorry!).
ReplyDeleteJohn -- no need to be sorry. Recycling is the mantra around here. The problem in the U.S. is we have just too much stuff of everything and we don't know what to do with it all. But we are trying to resolve the problem somewhat. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteVery interesting. That sure is a lot of bikes! Too bad the owner wasn't there for you to talk to.
ReplyDeleteJanet -- yes, I think he (or she) would have been fascinating to talk with. I noticed he/she had a few other memorabilia type of materials in the yard.indicating to me that here lived quite a collector. -- barbara
DeleteMy son in law is an avid biker. I would love to bike but it's too dangerous where I live. That's a nice part of the world where you are now.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- Yes, Hattie I do like this part of the world. Now that I am living in Corvallis I can appreciate all this college town has to offer such as environmental pursuits, coffeehouses, art, music, lectures etc. Oh and natural food stores. The bus service for the town is free -- the town wants folks to use the buses rather than their cars (to lower emissions). Your son in law would love this town. thanks for the comment -- barbara
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