2020 Heavy Mettle Exhibition
3 galleries
What does it take for a custom motorcycle builder to withstand economic downturns, epidemics and the fickle twists and turns of the motorcycle industry? That is exactly the concept being examined in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2020 Motorcycles as Art exhibition titled “Heavy Mettle: Motorcycles and Art with Moxie.” 35 builders with metal-lined backbone and character strong enough to buck trends had a range of motorcycles on display, from new work to legendary machines. Reputations have been built on these bikes, some dating back to the 1980’s.
In contrast to past MAA exhibitions, “Heavy Mettle” will be presented over two-years, with this first show labeled the “Unlocked Edition.” 2021 will follow with another edition titled “More Mettle” in which all brand-new bikes will be debuted. Taken together, these two shows will help put these builders and their bikes into historical context.
This one-time collection of motorcycles was complemented with more than 80 works from three moto-artists whose careers have similarly withstood these same trials and challenges. David Uhl and Scott Jacobs displayed paintings, almost all originals, while Michael Lichter will be showing photographs made during the Sturgis rally going back to the 1970’s.
“This was to be a big year for me,” said Michael Lichter, curator and producer of the Buffalo Chip’s Motorcycles as Art exhibit. “It was the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, was my 40th year to come to Sturgis and the 20th year of producing motorcycle themed exhibitions during the rally. The builders and fellow artists chosen to display bikes in this momentous show not only have the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship, but the moxie it takes to become noted figures in an industry rife with heavy mettle characters.”
Faced with the knowledge that half of all businesses fail in the first five years, it is evident these motorcycle aficionados have fought hard to become successful and legendary well beyond the confines of the industry. “The builders in this year’s exhibit are the guys with enough persistence to have stuck with it through thick and thin,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “They’ve produced some of the most amazing machines the world has ever seen. No one should miss the opportunity to see this exceptional display of collective moto-genius. The opportunity is offered for just seven days, and then it’s gone forever.” Thankfully, it was also preserved dugutally and is so presented to your through the web.
Special thanks to this years sponsors including our title sponsor Russ Brown Motorcycles Attorneys, and Black Out Design, BMW Motorrad, Daily Direct Haul Bikes, Hot Leathers, Klock Werks, Legend Suspension, Motorbike Expo, S&S Cycles.
In contrast to past MAA exhibitions, “Heavy Mettle” will be presented over two-years, with this first show labeled the “Unlocked Edition.” 2021 will follow with another edition titled “More Mettle” in which all brand-new bikes will be debuted. Taken together, these two shows will help put these builders and their bikes into historical context.
This one-time collection of motorcycles was complemented with more than 80 works from three moto-artists whose careers have similarly withstood these same trials and challenges. David Uhl and Scott Jacobs displayed paintings, almost all originals, while Michael Lichter will be showing photographs made during the Sturgis rally going back to the 1970’s.
“This was to be a big year for me,” said Michael Lichter, curator and producer of the Buffalo Chip’s Motorcycles as Art exhibit. “It was the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, was my 40th year to come to Sturgis and the 20th year of producing motorcycle themed exhibitions during the rally. The builders and fellow artists chosen to display bikes in this momentous show not only have the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship, but the moxie it takes to become noted figures in an industry rife with heavy mettle characters.”
Faced with the knowledge that half of all businesses fail in the first five years, it is evident these motorcycle aficionados have fought hard to become successful and legendary well beyond the confines of the industry. “The builders in this year’s exhibit are the guys with enough persistence to have stuck with it through thick and thin,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “They’ve produced some of the most amazing machines the world has ever seen. No one should miss the opportunity to see this exceptional display of collective moto-genius. The opportunity is offered for just seven days, and then it’s gone forever.” Thankfully, it was also preserved dugutally and is so presented to your through the web.
Special thanks to this years sponsors including our title sponsor Russ Brown Motorcycles Attorneys, and Black Out Design, BMW Motorrad, Daily Direct Haul Bikes, Hot Leathers, Klock Werks, Legend Suspension, Motorbike Expo, S&S Cycles.
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3 galleries -
35 galleries"Heavy Mettle - Motorcycles and Art with Moxie" shows the staying power of this incredible group of builders and artists. Each of the 35-builders (and two fellow artists) that I invited to join me in this exhibition have been in the business for at least 20-years. Some have over 50 under their belt. They are at least 40 years old, several are septuagenarians and one is an octogenarian (Ron Finch at 81). They have built at least 20-custom bikes, and some have built hundreds. What is clear is that they have stood up to harsh economic and industry pressures, through recessions and now a pandemic, to keep their hat's in the ring. Whether the years were lean or fat, driven by their passion, they just had to keep going, and now here they are! Who would have thought when we started out that we would all show our work together in an art gallery? We didn’t get in it for the money, and indeed not fame. We couldn't even conceive of this as a possibility back then! In the beginning, I just rode my bike and took photos of what I saw. It was all new, fun, and I loved it. I never really had a plan (and certainly not a business plan), but rather, just put one foot in front of the other and kept going. As it turned out, I was in it for the long haul and look, I'm still going, and I still love it. I mention this only because I believe every person represented by their art and custom motorcycles in this room has a similar story. -
137 imagesThe photographs you see here were taken just before the opening of the exhibition. It shows all 35 custom bikes in place on their respective pedestals, and artwork on the walls (although a few pieces of art didn’t get hung until after I made these images.) If you have never been to the gallery at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, without these photos, it would be hard to imagine a gallery oasis like this in the middle of Sturgis. It is located just next to the East Gate of the Buffalo Chip and since I moved my exhibition there in 2009, it has always been free to the public. Each year, the arrangement changes as do all the bikes and artwork on the walls, according to the theme for that year. Because of this, there is a new exhibition title and logo each year. Unlike other shows that get to market what they do and build on past years, I have to start from scratch every year. Clearly, this wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but it does keep it fresh every year.