Reader Jeff Z. told me about a museum exhibit he was planning on checking out at the RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design), and as soon as I took a look I knew I had to share one of the rare instances when our favorite two-wheeled vehicles were used to create art – plus as a bonus, it’s not a bad example of slow-speed motor control. So, feast your eyes on the Waltz of the Machine Equestrians—The Machine Equestrians by UuDam Nguyen.
First, a little background. This was filmed in response to the dramatic surge in motorbikes swarming the streets of Vietnam. So in this piece, Nguyen has 28 mechanical equestrians dancing through Ho Chi Minh City with the musical backdrop of Suite for Variety Orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich. Classical music fans might appreciate the history of that song, which for decades was misidentified as Suite for Jazz Orchestra #2 – but that’s a story for another day.
The experience is best if you catch it projected at large scale at the RISD Museum. But if you can’t make it out to Providence, then you can at least enjoy the film in its entirety thanks to Vimeo:
Waltz of the Machine Equestrians – The Machine Equestrians 2013 from UuDam Nguyen on Vimeo.
And here’s a little bit more about the museum cool enough to utilize aspects of motorcycling and the culture that surrounds it:
The RISD Museum – southeastern New England’s only comprehensive art museum – was established in Providence in 1877, alongside the Rhode Island School of Design. The Museum’s permanent collection of more than 91,000 objects includes paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, costume, furniture, and other works of art and design from all over the world, from ancient times to the latest in contemporary art.
So if you’re nearby, go check it out!
Cover image from UuDam Tran Nguyen, still frame from Waltz of the Machine Equestrians—The Machine Equestrians, 2012. © UuDam Tran Nguyen. Courtesy of the artist.