[CR]Re: [Frame] Art

(Example: Framebuilders)

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 16:59:33 GMT
To: andy@tagish.com
From: <brianbaylis@juno.com>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
cc: chococker@earthlink.net
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: [Frame] Art

Andy,

I have been wondering myself why we have been going back and forth on these issues when in fact there is "art" in everything we choose to do, as framebuilders. We should be recognizing and respecting each of our specialties for what they are, as opposed to trying to convince people(and ourselves) that one is "better" than the other. Be honest with yourself and everyone else, and accept that each builder is doing most likely what they are best at and what they enjoy most. I hope no one is in the framebuilding business out of the neccessity to make a living at it doing it in such a way that whould prefer not to. There is art in building effecient, light, high tech bikes, whether they are expertly tig welded or even simply glued together carbon and lugs. It may surprize everyone that I plan to build a full carbon fiber frame using the casting and glue with carbon tubes method, just for myself. I have long wanted to glue a bike together. I expect to learn a lot from both the build AND the ride.

There is art in making a frame with IC lugs and all of the most modern and effecient plug in fittings and cast bridges and whatnot. There is art in creating a system where filing or refining a lug edge after brazing with a scraper is not required. (BTW, using a scraper is NOT something an experienced framebuilder uses to remove "excess gobs of braze" from around the lugs; a scraper is a tool one uses when the lugs get thinned and hand filed to delicate and refined works of art that require a sharp and crisp edge. For an excellent example of this technique see the photo of the Peter Johnson seat lug in the upper right corner on page 43 of the current issue of "Asphault" magazine. If you do not have a copy of the magazine, drop everything and go get one, and then subscribe right away to the "all road all the time" magazine that supports our vintage interest and the art and craft of framebuilding.)

There is art in marketing ones products and business. I admire that as a talent also. I hope to do a Madison Ave. myself with my new partnership. Marketing facinates me and is just as valid a tool in framebuilding as a tourch and a file. I hope to launch a champaign that will set a new standard in the industry. Marketing IS art, too.

Frames as art to me is a misnomer. The BIKE as a whole concept and a finished machine is art. The art can be urban, simple, and practical or anything more complex than that. Yes, a great riding bike can be built in one man hour as hundreds of thousands of Colnagos, Pinarellos, DeRosa, Eddy Merckx, Ciocc, Basso, Mondonico, etc. bikes have proven; but we all respond to the "mystique" and the MOJO that is or isn't present in a frame. Mojo can come from the workshop and transfer to the bike even if the bike itself is not "a work of art" cosmetically. The art may be in the execution of the details and the outfitting of the bike. But I see no wrong in recognizing a bike that not only was built by one hand, but also incorperates years of riding experience on vast numbers of different bikes and involves frame work that is artistically concieved and rendered, as something quite uncommon and "special" in the realm of bicycles. There is art in that. It is not "just fluff" past the point of proper joining of the tubes and the other basics of framebuilding. The art in such bikes usually comes from the builder not doing anything for "arts' sake", they are doing what they appreciate most about the bikes, espressing concepts in design and construction, and most of all doing something that brings some sort of self satisfaction and meaning to their lives. What others see in the finished machine comes mostly from their beliefs and emotions as they relate to bicycles, and perhaps other aspects of life. The builder actually does not require anyone else to validate the work; they are validated within by having done the work and knowing more than anyone else exactly what thinking, emotion, skill, and effort went into the construction of the bike, in it's complete form. Sometimes learning to overcome the frustration of others not seeing the depth of your commitment is the most difficult thing about being a framebuilder.

All of these arts have value. I believe we need to accept each other for what we are and what our talents show. All of this talk at some point becomes moot. Look at the work. Like Richie says, see it for what it is. Know when "you see what you see" and recognize it for what it is. Art comes in many forms, as does MOJO, as does practicality and the art of effeciency. It's all art and we all do it in different combinations of priority. Nothing is "Better", it all just "IS".

Brian Baylis Sorry I had to respond in some way to a number of past posts; but I don't have time to address each topic individually at this time.


-- Andy Armstrong wrote:


Bear Shield wrote:
> To me the two acts of creating seemed to be one in the same

I agree. I'd go further and say that the division of people into 'arty' and 'practical' camps is a bogus distinction. I knew of an English professor and prolific poet who had been a mathematician. Someone asked him how he'd made the huge leap from maths to poetry and he replied that he'd always thought they were pretty similar anyway.

-- Andy Armstrong, Tagish

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