The definition of a chopper is any conceptualized, one-of-a-kind, handmade motorcycle of exceptional design and originality, and that perfectly describes the 30 ostentatious yet beautiful custom bikes that will be presented in “Art of the Chopper” at the Appleton Museum of Art of Central Florida Community from Oct. 10 to Jan. 10, 2010.
Admission tickets for the exhibition go on sale July 15 at the museum and online at www.AppletonMuseum.org. Prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors 55 or better; $8 for members, youths age 10-18 and college students with ID; $5 for children 3 to 9. Children under 3 are free. For information call the Appleton at 352-291-4455 or visit www.AppletonMuseum.org.
“Art of the Chopper” strives to present motorcycles as both sculptural art and artifacts of American culture. During the exhibition, the Appleton will showcase 30 choppers, each accompanied by a series of photographs and display panels featuring background information on the bike’s builder. Among the well-known names will be Indian Larry, Rick Fairless, Jerry Graves, Ron Finch and Mike Brown. A series of special events and motorcycle-related programs will be presented at the museum on weekends during the three-month exhibition.
As the first collection of custom motorcycles created explicitly as contemporary art, “Art of the Chopper” recently concluded its debut at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark. Director Terry Garner said, “These motorcycles are, when curated correctly, works of contemporary art. We fondly refer to them as Rolling Sculptures because the ‘chopper’ is a uniquely American icon, a creation that demands remarkable design and engineering while clearly expressing the artistry and personalities of their builders and owners.”
In addition to Zimberoff’s portraits and photographic prints depicting the artists, the following artists are represented by their motorcycles in the exhibition:
Mr. Yasuyoshi “Chica” Chikazawa
Mike Brown
Holy Roller
Chica
Freedom Forever
Dave Cook
Cook Norton & Rambler
Vince Doll
Curves and S&S Bike
Christian Dotson
Swingshot and Aileron
Trevelen
El Peligroso
Rick Fairless
Bettie
Ron Finchh
Odin’s Axle
“Big Al” Gaither
Blue Goose
Jerry Graves
Mad Rat
Jim Giuffra
Er Hed
Gard Hollingern
Fancula
Cyril Huze
Graffiti
Shinya Kimura
Spike
Scott Long
Stingray
Joe Martin
The Destroyer
Dave Perewitz
Stinger
Mondo
Easyrider’s 35th Anniversary Bike
Mike Pugliese
Knuckle Under
Roland Sandser
Glory Stomper
Indian Larry
Chain of Mystery
Ron Simms
Fuck Luck
Donnie Smith
Donnie’s Blower Bike
Eddie Trotta
Camel III
Paul Yaffe
El Cadiente
Hank Young
Flying Pan and Disk Drive
In addition to “Art of the Chopper,” guests will enjoy the Appleton’s permanent collections of European, American, Asian and Contemporary art and artifacts. Regular daily admission to the Appleton Museum, which doesn’t include “Art of the Chopper,” is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors 55 or better and students 19 and over; $3 for youths 10-18; and free for members, CFCC students, children 9 and under, and active military personnel and their immediate families.
The Appleton Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and closed on Mondays. In addition to daily admission, a 12-month membership is available for $25 for seniors 55 and over, $30 for adults 18 and over, $40 for two seniors over age 55, $50 for a family of two adults and any children under age 18, and $15 for all college students and current or retired educators. Owned and operated by Central Florida Community College, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. (State Road 40), Ocala, just east of downtown (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95).