HOW TO GET ON AND OFF

Unusual bicycles create wonder and puzzlement in many forms.  The jokers are always quick with a pithy remark like "Don't fall off!" or "What's the weather like up there?"  The simply dumbfounded ones tend to blurt out comments such as "Wow, that's a tall bike!" or "What's that for?"  Then comes the more considered or curious questions like "Did you make that yourself?" or "How long did it take you to make it?"  Of course the perennial favourite is "How do you get on that thing?" or "How do you get down?"  Whilst I don't want to sabotage any mild semblences of mystique that might remain in this project I thought that I would share with you guys a little bit of a demonstration of the technique of mounting and dismounting a tall bike.

Jimmy's Tall Bike Adventures - How to get on and off from James Dodd on Vimeo.

GLAMOUR

There's been a small break in action on this page.  As an artist there are often periods where work requirements are more administrative and behind the scenes and the last few weeks have definitely been like this for me.  Of course, what that ideally means is that there are bigger and better things to look forward to that will come out of all of these various discussions, negotiations and applications.

Recently, though, I did have the pleasure of spending an afternoon with one of Adelaide's finest photographers, Sam Roberts.  We visited a top secret tall bike testing ground and snapped off a couple of glamour shots.  Witness the magic below in these transcendent moments.

PERFORMANCE LIFESTYLE : PART 2 : ZYZZ

After last week’s post regarding the idea of regular public performance as a simple gift from individuals to society, a friend of mine brought to my attention the Legend of Zyzz.  Whilst not quite the same thing as I originally proposed as a Performance Lifestyle, Zyss is only a small step away, though in which direction I am as yet unsure.  Zyzz fits perfectly as a point of discussion in this broader project presenting fertile dialogue in relation to ideas of self-portraits constructed in the context of social media.

Zyzz is a contemporary manifestation of the classical Greek myth of Narcissus, a beautiful young man who falls in love with his own reflection, only to be trapped by it, bringing him to his death. Where this story moves beyond the often simple concept of narcissism is in Zyzz’s following.  His presence on the internet is wide ranging and it is stated that his legacy is inspiration to a generation of young people aspiring to reach the peak of their fitness, physicality and appearance.  His motivational videos have influenced thousands of people across Australia and the world, resulting in a generational shift that is quickly apparent at any dance music festival or metropolitan night out on the town.  One of the videos that I am presenting below has had more that 5 million hits and whilst it goes without saying that the content is compelling and astonishing I ponder on  the viewers of this work and each of their motivations.

Best viewed in the order they are shown, the first video shows my favourite part of Zyzz, his dancing, and the second is a bit of an extended remix which builds out more of his character.  Until next time – train with passion, rage and heart.