Bicycle Kitchen

bioproposalbicyclekitchen.com


By way of a letter to the “cooks” (our volunteers) list serve that Kelly Marie Martin posted on November 8th, 2005.

Cooks:

I want to give you an update about “Civic Matters,” the LACE project that we have been invited to be a part of.  It’s long-winded, and as I know some folks don’t like reading long emails I will outline the dates and what will be needed first.

The project is taking place in the latter half of January 2006.

We will need some bikes built up for the visitors to ride.  I think our participation is going to be twofold: 

Ideally, a FEW of the bikes would be almost ready to go with little adjustments like seats, handlebars and brakes able to be added by visitors who would be interested in coming and working at the Kitchen.

(There may be a couple of artists who want to build their own bike during that two week time.)

Also, it might be cool to either have some daytime Kitchen hours in case any of the bikes need maintenance OR to set up a work stand at LACE which will be the hub for the two weeks.

Jimmy’s gonna ask JP about doing a couple of craftnights (she did the awesome online show, gothtober.com) at LACE that are bicycle related.

Jimmy also reminded me that Bike winter will be happening then, so there will also be lots of other activities for them to be a part of.

Two weeks is not a lot of time AND they will be interacting with other participants, so I was trying to think of streamlining our participation.  Hence bikes and bike tours.  Two “crafts” we do well. 

Three groups off the top of my head who are participating are:

Fallen Fruit (this could be one of the tours, I have to ask)

Outpost (they had mentioned to Irene about doing tours with the visiting artists and I said that’d be perfect by bike!)

Journal of Aesthetics and Protest

Irene, one of the curators is going to Stockholm on November 18th.  She has asked for materials that give people an idea of what each group is, so I am gonna give her an edited version of the powerpoint presentation that me and Kreigh and Jimmy did for CRRA and a couple of articles.  I am going to bring a copy of that to the Kitchen for everyone to see.

If you’ve read this far I’m going to explain again What the project is and Why I think they asked us.  Civic Matters came out of an original intention to be an exhibition of Swedish design.  In discussions about how a measure of good design is how well it is used, how integrated it is into everyday life and then how in a sense, how invisible it becomes, the curators started talking about the role artists choose to have in public discourse and the recognition of the phenomenon in both Los Angeles and in Stockholm of artists choosing to work collaboratively and participate in socially-engaged activity and critique.  The three weblinks I listed are all for groups based here in LA that function more in real-time and in dialogue with an idea of community rather than focusing on a finished product.  It’s not just about a group of artists making art objects for a gallery that only a limited number of people will see. It’s about engaging with materials in your surroundings and asking people to participate.  As an artist, I think it’s really exciting and the reason they want the Bicycle Kitchen to participate is because without even intending we are also part of that cultural landscape--that’s exactly what we’re doing!  I think it’s funny that we even fit in the original idea of “craft,” cuz just think how we all salivate over parts and all the pretty bikes different people have created in our space.  I also think it’s funny that they asked us, because I think to a Swede or a Dutchperson it might seem strange to make such a big deal about bicycles.  There they are such a part of everyday life.  BUT when I think when you think about the stereotype of car culture that’s in all in the movies and second rate TV shows they see and then they will step into our world, the City of Angels by Bike that it will make TOTAL sense.  It’s fun and the best way to see our town.

Civic Matters is basically a two-week exchange during which artists and designers will travel here to meet colleagues and address issues/matters/subjects of mutual interest.  The curators would like there to be an outcome/product from the two weeks.  If nothing else, a relationship that continues.  Who knows?  Perhaps, a Cykel Kök in Stockholm!

I hope this helps.  If you’ve read THIS far and you’re stoked and you wanna help, that’d be rad!   There’s been a blog set-up so that the participants can start having discussions about what they’d like to do/what their expectations are before they even get here.  There’s a good chance some other ideas might come up.  If anyone’s interested in being part of that online discussion, let me know.

As a final note, I personally, am going to put together a ‘zine of Rad Rides in LA.  I will be hitting up some of you folks for your routes from rides past.  I’m gonna kick it out old skool keroscene style.  If you’ve never of heard of “thorn” -- Sassy magazine Zine of the Month in August of ’93, you’ve been warned.

THAT’S IT!  THANKS.

Fireweed a.k.a. keroscene a.k.a. Kelly Green a.k.a. Kelly Marie Martin