In 1972 James Wagenvoord published a book called Bikes and Riders. Early on in his book he talks about hanging out in Central Park watching Bob Salzman teach people to ride bikes. And then watching and photographing other people teaching their friends using Salzman's “can’t fail” method.
Some time in the late 90’s I poached Wagenvoord’s photo from page 24 to use as the cover of kickstand #8.
Fast forward 27 years to just last night when I screened yet another kickstand hoodie.
With super opaque white paint that’s as thick as a brick. It’s like squeezing cold toothpaste through a capillary. I took a pass and a half with the squeegee and smudged it. That extra half pass jacked it. Like an out of focus photo of a photo of a photo. It wasn’t what I was going for. But I’m going with it. Because I don’t have a choice.
An out of focus focus-group. A blurred photo of a 55 year old photo. It’s all coming together. That shot always made me think the guy in the middle is loaded and his friends are holding him up. But he’s not wasted. He’s just learning to ride a bike.
“What’s kickstand?” she asks
“It’s a quality of life issue” I say
because it’s easier than trying to explain to her what a zine is
or was 27 years ago.
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