Building Speed Press

   

Building Speed Press

 

 

 

Review and write-up by Senior Art Director Corey Smith

           GRAETER ART GALLERY //BUILDING SPEED

I recently took a trip to my hometown of Portland Oregon to show some artwork in the Graeter Art Gallery exhibit titled “Building Speed”. One of my favorite artists Dan Ness was also showing artwork. Sang-Froid Riding Club and Bridge City Cycles also partnered to showcase some amazing motorcycles.

Renowned Racing Bikes were on display including; Roadrace, Motocross, Hill Climbers, Cafe Racers and More. World-renowned racer Dave Roper was in attendance. The gallery also set up a mini-museum with motorcycle artifacts and leathers.

It was an amazing opening party for the show. Hundreds of people showed up and packed the gallery floor. Motorcycle enthusiasts of all scenes showed up and checked out the bikes, artwork, and of course enjoyed some Rainiers! Some good ol’ Oregon dirt bike burn-outs went down, as well as some burn outs with the classic race bikes (which sounded like a jet engine in the gallery). Everyone had a blast. Thanks to John Graeter and everyone involved for making it such a great event!

Building Speed: Motorcycle Racing & Mechanical Triumphs of the 1950s-60s

by Richard Speer
Visual Arts Editor of Willamette Week

Motorcycle aficionados occupy a subset of the California car culture made iconic by the Beach Boys and informed by elements of Easy Rider counterculture, Italian engineering, and a dash of pure white trash. For this show, actual motorcycles will be on hand, along with their proud owners, who will be offering stories about the bikes as oral history. Cycle-based visual art will be provided by Dan Ness and Corey Smith, two artists who have both the edge and the irony to pull off this kind of material. Through Aug. 25.  

Building Speed: A Summer's Worth of Motorcycle Fun

Written by Marjorie Skinner

The Sang-Froid Riding Club ("the preppy ones" among Portland's biker ilk) are hosting a month-long show in July and August at Graeter Art Gallery called Building Speed: Motorcycle Racing and Mechanical Triumphs of the 1950s-60s. In addition to the artwork of Dan Ness and Corey Smith, the show will feature vintage bikes of the Flattrack, Roadrace, Motocross, and Café Racer variety.

The exhibit kicks off with an opening reception on July 5, but will remain active through August with events ranging from a book release to an appearance by a hot-shit racer. Hit the jump for the full calendar.

7/5 Grand Opening and first Thursday reception: dress down in your racer clothes.
7/12 Movie night presented by Sang-Froid Riding Club
7/17 Evel Knievel Days book release party with author Pauls Toutonghi
7/21 Sang-Froid Riding Club motorcycle ride to Vernonia and Portland International Raceway
8/4 OMRRA Vintage Racing Days after-party with guest appearance by legendary TT moto-racer Dave Roper
8/17 Bridge City Cycles Technician Workshop: tips on how to buy a used bike plus stripping, wrenching, and ice-cold beer
8/25 Closing party! Live music, bike gawking, workshops, photo booth, beer and food
***All events will be held at Graeter Art Gallery***