VRROOOOM - Motorbike design

Yamaha TZ 350, 1973. Photo: Michael Grabowski

From the end of November the Danish Museum of Art & Design will roar with machine aesthetics. More than 40 of the history of design’s most fascinating and admired motorcycles set the scene for a story of development of the first mechanised means of transport up through the 20th century. Along with accessories, clothes, images, sound and film, the two-wheeled speed machines delineate a design historical development and events, which have affected the populations of especially Europe, the US and Japan. The exhibition is built up around three main themes:

DESIGN AND NATIONAL IDENTITY tells the story of the technical preconditions for the design historical development of the machines, the development from purely rational aesthetics of construction to promotional sculptural stylistic shapes. German machines are sensible and like the Danish Nimbus bikes they are reliable and durable. English motorbikes are aristocratic and personal, the Japanese ones are hot-tempered, the French are complex, and the Italian ones are sculptural and wild, while the American bikes exude luxury.

FUNCTIONS AND ROLES OF THE MOTORBIKE illustrates the motorbike’s development from a practical and cheap means of transport, to a fashion icon for subcultures and a symbol of youth, to an exclusive luxury item for the grey gold.

FASHION, SEXUAL ROLES AND LIFESTYLE brings the role of the motorbike as a trendsetter over several decades up for debate. A series of design objects and an entire fashion industry has been inspired by motorbike culture.

Last updated 08.12.2010