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The visual artist, Constantine
Gras, has curated Pedal Power at the highly reputable
Museum of Oxford and this runs until 17th October.
It beautifully captures the chain of important
events and changing times in Oxfordshire linked
to the coming of the bicycle. The exhibition
is sponsored by Oxford City Council, University
of Oxford, Transport Studies Unit, Cyclox and
the Rusty Bicycle.
Set in a single gallery, the exhibition traces back the earliest forms of bicycle
through historic and modern photographs, images
and clever quotes, plus examples of historic
and modern bicycles. The focus of the exhibition
is from 1870 - 1900 and five notable Oxford personalities
- Henry W. Taunt, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, Rev. Charsley, Flora Thompson and
Lord Nuffield, each used to illustrate the history of the bicycle and its significance
to modern day life.
A particularly interesting theme that can be traced from Constantine’s choice
of images in the exhibition is that of women’s independence stemming from the
growing popularity of the bicycle in the early twentieth century. Through the
works and quotes from Flora Thompson, a famous Oxfordshire novelist, Constantine
points out how the mass production of bicycles in the 1890’s lead to more people
buying them, including women. In fact, one of the most prominent figures in the
exhibition is William Richard Morris, the man who used the bicycle to start a
prosperous business of his own, eventually employing thousands of workers from
across the county in the manufacture of the motor car.
Keeping in line with the importance of cycling events in the city of Oxford,
the exhibition highlights one of the most celebrated traditions of the city,
in the form of its famous bicycle race with arch rival Cambridge. The first Oxford-Cambridge
bicycle race was held in 1874 where six men participated on penny farthings and
was won by Cambridge. Cambridge won the second race as well with the Oxford cyclist
colliding with a cow.
One of the most eye catching modern images in the exhibition is the Cowley Carnival
Wheel, 2009 taken by Lara Scott and Constantine Gras. Cyclists at the Carnival
were asked about about their idea of "cycling heaven" and their answers were
recorded and put down next to their photographs to form a collage type image
with a giant wheel in the middle. This sort of interactive display added a unique
and light hearted flavour to the feel of the exhibition.
The exhibition touches upon the current need for bicycles in the face of global
warming, recession and obesity. Oxford City and County Council are working towards
policies that tackle some of these issues and are employing the bicycle to play
an important role in various campaigns.
Constantine wraps up the exhibition with his own unique photographic images which
he took on his first visit to Oxford in May 2008. They are the perfect choice
to end the show, as they symbolize the fluid continuity of the phenomenon of
cycling. Wheels are often used to represent time and wheels in motion can be
interpreted to represent the future, in this case combining art and fantasy with
concern for issues of social, economic and environmental significance. This exhibition
is a must-see, don't miss it!
Reviewed by Leila Siddiqi |
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