We’re big fans of Adam Nickel’s artwork and are absolutely thrilled that we were able to get him on board for the first annual MFF. He and his art really are a perfect fit. Adam took a few minutes to tell us a bit about himself and his art. Here’s what he had to say:
MFF how did you decide on the particular image for the poster?
AN I thought rather than creating an image that just shows someone on a motorcycle, it made sense to create artwork that combines the themes of film and motorcycles. Just showing someone on a motorcycle wouldn’t really be special or unique to this project, and could look as though it was just pulled from some already pre existing artwork or photo stock. As an illustrator you can bring a very tailored approach to each project, and I like to make sure I do that with everything that I am asked to work on.
MFF how would you describe your style?
AN My style is very simplistic, I like to simplify aspects where I can and keep the color palette pretty limited. Many of the projects I am involved with, especially within the motorcycle scene, are for screen printing. So keeping a limited color palette works well for that.
MFF what has influenced your art?
AN I’m very influenced by mid century illustration, this shows especially in my non motorcycle editorial illustration. It was a time of a lot of experimentation in both illustration and animation, and I’m just really drawn to much of the work that has come out of that period.
MFF do you have a personal connection to motorcycles, as they feature prominently in your art?
AN I have had an interest in motorcycles and drawing them as far back as high school, and I have a custom 1955 Triumph Thunderbird that is sort of a mix between a chopper and a drag bike.
MFF anything else you’d like to add about yourself?
AN I love motorcycles and I love watching them on screen, Ive watched On Any Sunday, The Born Losers and The Worlds Fastest Indian along with many others more times than I can count. So I really wish I could make it along to the festival. Why does Australia have to be so far away?
All of this year’s Judges are heavily involved in the world of motorcycles as well as Art and film, and the MFF is very proud to have such a strong group of personalities together for this year’s Panel. We can’t wait to announcing their official selections for 2013 this week. Read about the Judge Panel HERE.
Until then, we give you Shutter Speed. A 2011 short film by Toast, a filmmaker who makes motorcycle films specifically. It stars our Judge Stacie B. London, and was commissioned by our Judge JP of The Selvedge Yard, to accompany an exhibition of photographs in 2011. Enjoy!
A bit about Toast and Shutter Speed
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(Toast, photograph by JP)
As a kid, I spent a lot of time framing events through the wide-angle lens of my sister’s Six-Million Dollar Man action figure; the doll’s distorted “bionic eye” offered my first taste of composition. Later, when I got my mitts on an actual camera, I became a disciplined student of the technical aspects of photography, learning to combine the science of aperture with the visual elements that weight the frame. Proportion and balance understood, it become easier to anatomize a harmonic image – but I was playing in a punk band. Learning the rules only taught me how to break them; I found imbalance and discord were viable options. I shot through candy wrappers, shower curtains, and melted zip lock bags. I was right back to my “bionic” roots, seeing through the misshapen eye of a cheap lens. My experimentation extended into the dark room and eventually to art school, where I studied structural, materialist filmmaking; I could once again explore as well as reject those techniques.
Motorcycles are the perfect subject for experimental film. Beyond the visual metaphor of projecting stories through machines – and even without a focused image – light and shadow bend to express the blur of motion. Grime and grit, tasted through grainy texture and the slick oil of a passing reflection, reveals there are thousands of routes to any one destination. There is no single technique for telling a story, no single narrative, no single medium. Mood, texture and rhythm participate in the composition every bit as much as the captured essence of a portrait. If the stillness of a vast landscape draws me in, it’s the crawling, close up details that hold me there. The challenge of capturing these complex, yet subtle qualities in characters, machines and events is the challenge I find truly inspiring.
The vintage motorcycle community is the perfect place to find collaborators and subjects that appreciate the aesthetic of the new, the old, and the even older. Like our bikes, my films combine fragments of nostalgia in concert with more current or state-of-the art technology. Form and function both serve a purpose, the occasional chasm between them responsible for more than a few spontaneous roadside repairs. In filmmaking- as in riding, racing and even crashing- it’s best to respect the rules, even while we bend them. Otherwise they’re sure to leave a scar!
I am extremely honored that The Motorcycle Film Festival will be screening “Shutter Speed” during its party. The film ties in with the event because of its collaboration including two of the festival’s judges: JP from The Selvedge Yard and motorcycle racer Stacie B. London. The film, commissioned by JP as a behind-the-scenes short, follows photographer Scott Pommier and SBL. Having worked with JP and Stacie, I can see why they are perfect as judges; both balance a tenacious commitment to visual aesthetics with a devotion to motorcyles, moto-culture, and trace vestiges of motorcycle history. I am lucky to have worked with them and now, luck strikes again; since a screening of Shutter Speed includes me in this historic event!
Support the MFF in style with these High quality 100% cotton, slim fitting, preshrunk tees emblazoned with the MFF Skull logo designed by Rick Schenk of Body Art & Soul Tattoo in Brooklyn.
Men’s and women’s sizes all available now in the SHOP.
100% of profits go to the making of the 2013 Motorcycle Film Festival.
Because starting a film festival from scratch on top of working a day job isn’t quite busy enough, Corinna and I have also been involved in planning the New York City Vintage Motorcycle Show (NYCVMS) since 2010. Last Sunday, Bored, Stroked, Ported: The 10th annual NYC Vintage Motorcycle Show went down on n14th street in Brooklyn, graciously (and bravely…) hosted by Works Engineering. It was a total blast and I can’t say how proud I am to have been a part of it. I don’t think anyone will ever appreciate how much Erik from Works put his ass on the line and how hard he worked to make this one happen.
Amazingly enough, we were graced by the presence of no less than 2 members of our esteemed judging and hosting panel! JP from the Selvedge Yard and Paul “the Vintagent” d’Orleans (pronounced “Dor-leon”… I’m still working on it man I promise!) stopped by to spend some time and check out the vibes.
Over 400 bikes and thousands of people from all over rolled through the block throughout the day. We were joined by our friends from Motorgrrl, E3 Supply Co.,Shaw Promotions, as well as the fantastic folks from Worth Motorcycle Co. who do fantastic work for kids in Brooklyn. And, with our friends Union Garage and Handsome Bastards generously stepping up to the plate at the last minute to hook our show winners up with some excellent prizes to go along with the epic trophies made by Oscar from ECMD, the day ended on Bruce Dickenson level high note. Speaking of high notes, Coast Kids, Blackout, Purple k’niF, and the Screamin’ Rebel Angels all provided a killer sound track to the day.
All in all, it was one hell of a hangout. Ain’t no better way to spend a beautiful Sunday than some cool, delicious, refreshments from Brooklyn Brewery & Kirin breweries, some rad bands, some amazing bikes, and a ton of good people. If you happened to be there and have any pics, post ’em up to the NYCVMS flickr group in this link so everyone can relive the fun. There’s a ton more there taken by a bunch of people.
(Peter Fonda filming Dennis Hopper on the set of Easy Rider)
As last day of submissions comes to a close, The MFF would like to take a moment to thank all of the amazing motorcycle enthusiast filmmakers who submitted their films in the 1st annual MFF. This festival is by riders for riders, and it is only because of your contributions that we have one to host. Thank you for making motorcycle films, and for being a part of what we hope will be the first of many years of MFF.
easy-kovacs-hopper
(Dennis Hopper shooting Easy Rider with Lazlo Kovacs)
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