On Wheels and Canvases:
Chauvet Arts’ Riding the Edge
Versión en español aquí
From January 30th to March 30th, Chauvet Arts, a Nashville arts gallery, is hosting an exhibition titled, Riding the
Edge: Passion, Arts, and Motorcycles. When I initially learned this, I thought, “Oh, this sounds cool.” Once I walked through the doors of their building, I realized that this combination goes far beyond what any description could hope to explain. This showcase is not merely a mixture of the two worlds, but a fusion of the intricate, mechanical workings of motorcycles and the diverse talent of contemporary artists. And it works very well.
This “first of its kind” exhibition sets iconic motorcycles to artwork from various artists, over various mediums. Whether it be the familiar “____ on Canvas” to photography displayed on LED Light Box, there are a wide variety of artworks to enjoy, representing a wide age range of artists – if I remember correctly, the youngest artist featured is 22 years old, with the oldest having 30+ years of experience in the arts. There are also several different motorcycles, ranging in date as far back as 1916 (with the Columbia Bike).
Keep Pets Off Furniture was one of the most striking paintings that I came across. By Carlos Gamez de Francisco, this acrylic on canvas depicts two horses violently jumping on an expensive sofa, with a backdrop of smaller pictures that show the relationship between human and horse (animal/pet) that has developed over time. This relationship has been an area of much interest for the artist, being from Cuba and raised in an environment where furniture was thought highly of, never to be something for pets to be allowed near – a stark contrast to the relationship pets and their owners have in the U.S. Paired with the 1931-36 BMW R2, a hallmark of its time for its resourcefulness, design, and affordability, “Both highlight how possessions can transcend utility to reflect resilience and cultural significance.”
Big City at Night encapsulates urban night life with its vast cityscape, full of highways (and highway signs), water towers and other industrial buildings, and colors and cars. Contrasted by a black background with hints of red, white, and blue, and a mix of scattered letters and symbols, Daryl Thetford provides a sense of chaos to a well-known scene. Alongside this huge collage (100 x 60 x 2 in, framed) is the 1948 Moto Guzzi GTV. Topping out at 56mph, this bike “evokes a sense of movement and energy” with its characteristic all-red paint and chrome plating.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to speak with Madeline Cramer (whose name I did not learn until after I left!), member of the Chauvet Arts team, head of Operations. I asked her a few questions relating to her background, the history of Chauvet Arts, as well as the conception of the current exhibit. Located on Rep. John Lewis Way N, Chauvet Arts receives a good amount of business from the downtown area; when considering this exhibition, the Chauvet Arts team wanted to bring attention to the fact that the Nashville arts scene has more to offer than Broadway, which is why collaborating with Lane Motors Museum made sense. Lane Motor Museum is Nashville’s very own automobile museum, boasting a collection of around 150 (at a time) historical and unique cars manufactured in various parts of the world. There are also a few motorcycles that were loaned from individual motorcycle enthusiasts. For tourists and Nashville natives alike, Chauvet Arts wants everyone to know that remarkable things are happening EVERYWHERE in the Nashville arts scene. Cramer also told me about a recent visit that a local class of high schoolers made to the gallery – providing these kinds of experiences is also of importance to the team at Chauvet Arts. Showing the future generations that it is not only possible to pursue a career in the arts industry, but also the power of having a space to create and how that can affect ourselves and others.
There is also lots of different artwork displayed that is unrelated to this exhibition. Whether it be the detailed, hand-carved wooden sculptures of Brad Sells or the plethora of framed photographs, there is sure to be something to satisfy everyone’s taste – and wallets, with something for every budget. I was especially happy with their gift shop, which is full of art, crafts, and even DIY games at fair costs (I will be back for that wind-up toy!).
Be sure to go to Chauvet Arts (and Lane Motor Museum) before this exhibition ends! And once it ends, come back, because they are keeping local (and regional) art authentic and alive! You can be sure that they will continue innovating, to provide a unique experience for all to enjoy and connect with art.
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Rian Dennis is an upcoming BA in Music and Spanish graduate at MTSU. A former student of trumpet professor Dr. Michael Arndt, he enjoys listening to music by artists and bands such as Prince, Jellyfish, Daft Punk (etc.), watching movies, and reading, in his free time, and has an interest in fashion. He is excited to write for the Music City Review!
