Cycling has been booming in New York City - there are more than twice as many cyclists on the streets than in 2005, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. With all the bikes on the road, it's no wonder that Artspace partnered up artist Shantell Martin, who bikes around New York herself, with Martone Cycling Co for, well, an art bike.
Martin, whose art mainly consists of her own 'language' of black-ink doodles and words scrawled on white surfaces, looked towards urban cycling as her inspiration, using her trademark black ink to write terms like 'Now,' as well as doodles on 26-lb all-white Martone Cycling bicycles accented with an angular basket, red chain and Lucite pedals. 'Martone cycles are beautiful, well made, and the perfect canvas for me,' she said. The bikes aren't meant to be precious works of art for display in your home, you're supposed to actually ride them around town, and not have to worry about the black ink being stripped away from the elements because it's covered in lacquer.
'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring, a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing,' said Martin.
Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, they're priced at a hefty £2,500.
The bicycle is a moving white canvas, except for the red Lucite pedals, chain and brake cables which add a pop of colour
The made to order bikes were inspired by New York City's commuters
'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring,' explains Martin, 'a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing'
Martin's collaboration with Martone Cycling Co. transforms the regular bike into an artwork; its surface into a canvas
Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, cost £2,500
Despite their unique art work status, the bikes aren't meant to be precious works to display, they are supposed to be used and ridden around. The black ink is covered in lacquer, so won't be stripped away by the elements
-
Eversolo’s all-in-one streaming amp takes care of CDs as well as almost every online serviceDesigned for space-saving sonic flexibility, the Eversolo Play will connect to almost anything, even accommodating your old compact discs
-
Meet Studio Zewde, the Harlem practice that's creating landscapes 'rooted in cultural narratives, ecology and memory'Ahead of a string of prestigious project openings, we check in with firm founder Sara Zewde
-
A whopping 92% of this slick London office fit-out came from reused materialsCould PLP Architecture's new workspace provide a new model for circularity?
-
Inside Brompton: a pioneering provider of folding bicycles for fifty yearsBelow the fold, we explore the history and ethos of Brompton Bicycles and take a tour of the bike maker’s London factory as it comes up on its half century
-
The Infinite Machine Olto is an electrified two-wheeler designed for urban transportationNew York-based Infinite Machine have revealed their second electric urban vehicle, the Olto, a micro mobility solution designed to share bike lanes
-
Anya Hindmarch teams up with Brompton to create a fashion-forward folding bikeThe power of the pedal is amplified by this timely tie-in between British bike makers Brompton and Anya Hindmarch
-
Orbea’s award-winning Diem e-bike offers performance, choice and styleSpanish bicycle manufacturer Orbea has brought its racing experience to bear on the new Orbea e-bike, a high performing machine pitched at urban use
-
A first look at the Palace x Brompton foldable bike boasting culture-defining flairThe Palace x Brompton C Line 2 Speed Low Bar is the first collaboration between the bike and streetwear brand, uniting urban style with functional design
-
Volt London e-bike: a city ride with a twist of styleThe Volt London e-bike is a clear rival to VanMoof, boasting elegant styling and superb performance
-
New Cowboy 4 e-bike is an impressive urban steedThe latest Cowboy e-bike rides to the rescue of urban commuters with technical prowess, industrial good looks and useful app integration
-
Freitag designs bag for the iconic Brompton bikeSwiss brand Freitag meets London's finest foldable bike in this collaboration between two urban design greats
