Stay Tuned Chattanooga, Art Cars Are Coming!
SAVE the Date! On April 14th 2012, Chattanooga's Southside will come alive with this region’s first art car parade. Art 120 is organizing this high profile event as part of the HATCH Arts Festival which celebrates art, innovation, and provides a public venue for students to present their completed art cars alongside professional artists. We have been busy making preparations and will be releasing the full details and registration forms soon.
International High School's entry made from recycled materials was a Houston favorite last year.
What is an art car?
An art car is a vehicle (car, bike, or wheeled contraption) that has had its
appearance modified as an act of personal artistic expression. Some of these works of art on wheels incorporate robotics, alternative fuel sources, painting, performance, and recycled materials.
Twenty-five years ago, the Houston parade began with just a few art cars and small crowd. Today, this event has grown into a celebration of art with over 250 art cars from across the country participating and 300,000 spectators coming out to see them.
Art cars and Awareness
This medium literally brings art into the streets. As an uncommon form of art, art cars encourage participation from people of all ages and socio-economic levels. This is especially true for people who have never stepped foot into an art gallery, a theatre center, or museum before. You do not have to be an artist to create an art car either, all you need is desire, a vehicle, and a plan. Many non-profit organizations have created art cars as therapy programs, as educational tools, for fundraising events, and to showcase their public programs.
Reaching out
Providing free access to art at public events connect Chattanooga residents and tourists with our vibrant arts culture while giving students a chance to receive positive recognition for their achievements. Our 2011 students have already this positive reinforcement first-hand while riding in events such as River Rocks, Mainx24, and on display at venues such as the IMAX 3D Movie Theater and The Creative Discovery Museum. This April they will have the opportunity to ride alongside professional artists during Chattanooga’s first art car weekend. This annual celebration as part of the HATCH Arts Festival will be a showstopper to promote artists, downtown businesses, and local organizations.
Students Shine with Solar Power in the Holiday Starlight Parade
Saturday was a fun-filled evening for downtown Chattanooga. Both art bikes and artists had a fabulous time preparing for the big event and the crowd loved their sculptures. Instead of conventional light sources, Art 120 relied mostly on solar power to keep art bikes lit throughout the night. "We were looking for an efficient, lightweight source and, thanks to a friend, quickly realized solar would be the best choice."
An art bike rider waits for the lights to power up on the swing bike.
In fact, it was so successful that Art 120 will look at ways to incorporate this source of energy into their summer art bike workshops.
Last year due to zero sponsorship, this annual event was cancelled. According to WRCB, Volkswagen stepped in and made this event possible for our local families to enjoy. They also noted that this event was a much needed boost for downtown businesses as well. To view WRCB's news story, see the link below. In case you missed the parade lovely evening, channel 3 will air the event in its entirety, December 17th at 1:00pm. Thank you Chattanooga Presents, Volkswagen and WRCB for providing such a wonderful community event.
Holiday Starlight Parade boosts downtown business - WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports.
The River Otter is on the Loose
Art car artist, Rebecca Bass, left a lot of artcar momentum going after her seminar. Three weeks ago, artists, educators, and engineers assembled at Chattanooga State University to embark on a project never seen before, an art car created especially for the city of Chattanooga.
The Concept
Take an old, Toyota Chinook Camper and turn it into our scenic city on wheels. Our team worked together to create the design. Below are a few images show the original vehicle and our progress so far. As you can see, Lookout and Signal Mountain sit majestically on the roof with the Tennessee River spilling over either side of our sculpture. The passenger side represents the wonderful outdoor activities we enjoy and the driver's side reveals our vibrant arts community. And gracefully hanging over the hood, we have a river otter to represent our wildlife.
Why?
Ever since the creation of the automobile, people have been modifying their cars, and receiving lots of smiles in return. Artwork like this is accessible to anyone, even those who have never stepped foot in an art gallery or museum before. Art cars combine both art and engineering, making them an excellent classroom project too. Furthermore, art cars are made from recycled parts. Many of these cars and their accessories are found objects destined more for the landfill than on the street. Artists all over the world tap into this form of of art and ultimately create something good for mankind.
What's next?
This art car is currently under construction and will go on to participate in several public events such as Mainx24, Chattanooga's first art car parade in April 2012, as well as represent Chattanooga in The 2012 Houston Art Car Parade.
Want to help?
Join us for some fun and inspiration. Share your thoughts and exchange ideas. Our next informal workshop will be Saturday, November 19th from 11am-5pm and it's free. To register, please email katewarren@art120.org and she will add you to the list. School Classes and teachers are welcome too! Just call 423/314-6659 to see if we can arrange an all our art workday for your school.
Objects are Cool too.
Art 120 is also accepting old Chattanooga memorabilia, mardi gras beads, ornamental metal, etc. People interested in donating items for a tax deduction may contact Art 120 via email info@art120.org. Please list your contact info, type of donation, and we will coordinate with you.
Thank you for Helping Art 120 Rock the River
We closed down River Rocks in fabulous form. Between the local artists and interactive art projects on Saturday to the grand finale Art Bike Brigade on the 9th. Kids and adults had a lot of fun. The truck, however, may never be the same.
Art Bikes Rock N' Stuff
Our students ages 11-15 completed eight art bikes in just two weeks! Their work continues to be on display in the community. Stop by and see some of these amazing sculptures at The IMAX Theater until November 9th. A special thanks to our teachers, Natali and Smitty, our talented students, and three amazing team leaders: sculptor, Roger Halligan; bicycle race mechanic and wheelbuilder; Merlyn Townley, artist Rondell Crier, and Lafayette High School art teacher Liz Hornik.
Art Bikes Take Coolidge Park- The Video
A big thank you to the Chattanooga community too.
Businesses, non-profit organizations, and the community have stepped up and provided some amazing support for our program. Sculptor, Isaac Duncan iii, opened his studio up to accommodate our workshops. Zac Holford with The Main Street Bike Co-op has provided bike parts and assistance. CCA teacher, Chad Burnette, dropped off bikes and is assisting. Greg Ross, owner of Estate of Confusion, and artist, Peggy Petrey have provided some really cool embellishments. Outdoor Chattanooga hosted our student reception and bike ride in the park. Also, Townsend Atelier and The CampHouse have provided space for our day one activities. Thank you for all your help and hard work!
Want to help? Donate Now for Good Kharma and Tax Deductions.
Art 120 is also accepting old steel bikes, toddler bikes, tricycles, welding materials, golf clubs, and ornamental metal. Money is also encouraged to keep these programs for children going. People interested in donating items for a tax deduction may contact Art 120 via email info@art120.org. Please list your contact info, type of donation, and we will coordinate with you.
Help Build Chattanooga's First Art Car!
October 22nd & 23rd.
Art Cars In and Out of the Classroom with Rebecca Bass at Chattanooga State University.
Whether you are an artist, a teacher, non-profit organization, or just want to know what all the fuss is about, this program is for you. Rebecca is an International Baccalaureate teacher who has built over twenty art cars with her students. Under her direction, students have had their art cars featured internationally on CNN, FOX, National Geographic, Car and Driver, FX channels Weird Wheels, New York Times, among many others. Their various art cars are part of permanent museum collections in Malaysia, Germany, Mexico, as well as six cities in the United States. During the seminar, participants can receive hands-on experience by working with Rebecca and Art 120 to create Chattanooga's first art car. Rebecca will also cover project management, student experiences, and answer any questions about building an art car for yourself, with students, or as a team project. We may add an opening reception on October 21st depending on whether we hear from you. Seating is limited, so if you are interested, please send me an email to reserve a space.
The Violin Bike Will Ride Again!
Move over Chattanooga, there's a new violin bike in town.
This Sunday, art bike team leader, Liz Hornik, Art 120's Kate Warren, and our student met to get her replacement bike ready in time for next week's River Rocks experience, the Art Bike Brigade.
Our student's (AG's) bike was stolen within a week of its debut. While her bike never turned up, AG was ready to get back on and ride. This time, our student traded in metal for wood and learned how to use a jigsaw to get her new sculpture well under way. On Saturday, October 8th from 10am-6pm we will have the art bikes on display in Cooldge Park. AG will be there too, putting the finishing touches on her violin before it debuts in the brigade ride on Sunday at 1pm in front of The Tennessee Aquarium. Please come out to see her work. We are very proud of her!
The Art Car Queen Comes to Town
October 22nd & 23rd.
Art Cars In and Out of the Classroom with Rebecca Bass at Chattanooga State University.
Whether you are an artist, a teacher, non-profit organization, or just want to know what all the fuss is about, this program is for you. Rebecca is an IB certified teacher who has built thirty art cars with her students. Under her direction, students have had their art cars featured internationally on CNN, FOX, National Geographic, Car and Driver, FX channels Weird Wheels, New York Times, among many others. Their various art cars are part of permanent museum collections in Malaysia, Germany, Mexico, as well as six cities in the United States. During the seminar, participants can receive hands-on experience by working with Rebecca and Art 120 to create Chattanooga's first art car. Rebecca will also cover project management, student experiences, and answer any questions about building an art car for yourself, with students, or as a team project. Seating is limited, click here to reserve a space.
Art Bikes And Park(ing) Day - Two Taste Treats in One
What a great Park(ing) Day in Chattanooga we had! Lots of great organizations participated and the streets were full of art, music, and free clothes. If you stopped by our art bike park. Take a look and see if we caught you on our art bike cam. If not, check us out during River Rocks. October 8th from 10am-6pm in Coolidge Park and on the 9th for our art bike brigade. Come watch or deck out a bike and join us. Prizes and fun for participants!
A Little Bit of Nonsense on Film
Channel 11 captured Randy Blair's art car on tape. Great video about his art car.
Bike Safety Madness
When bike safety meets mad 60's art house filmakers.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQgAMkMmsfg&w=480&h=360]