Local artist needs your spare parts!

Eileen from Mellow Johnny's asked me to post the following request from a local artist named Ben Harman:

HOW'D YOU LIKE YOUR OLD BIKE TO BECOME A DOWNTOWN LANDMARK?
Does your old Huffy deserve to be a sculpture?
Would you like to lock your new bike up to your old bike?

ABOUT THE PROJECT:
My name is Ben Harman and I'm working on a project with the Downtown Austin Alliance. The project is to create sculptures to be erected downtown that also serve as bike racks. Similar projects have been started around the country, and Austin has jumped on board as well. The DAA created a contest format for design ideas, and my design was one of three that was chosen for implementation.

“This program helps the Downtown Austin Alliance achieve its mission of promoting and preserving the value and vitality of downtown by supporting public art and alternative means of transportation,” said Nancy Burns, DAA Chair Emeritus.

Attached you'll see a mock-up of the design and excerpts from the submitted proposal. The idea is to use recycled bike parts to make the sculpture, since the biking community is often motivated by environmental concerns.

What does it all mean? You can lock your bike up to art!

HERE'S WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP:
As you can see, I need to collect as many bicycle gears as I can get my hands on. Do you have an old bike that's been collecting dust in the garage? Did you recently upgrade or make repairs to an older bike? Or are you so intrigued by the chance to leave your mark on Downtown Austin that you're willing to chop up your new Cannondale?

Either way, I need your help in collecting bike gears of all shapes and sizes. These don't have to be in great condition, either. Just bring them in to Mellow Johnny's, and they'll be officially sculpturized.

One of the things I love about the Austin community is how willing people are to help out with fun projects like this. I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about. Thanks in advance for your help,
Ben Harman

Questions and feedback? Contact ben_harman@hotmail.com.

There you have it folks! Ben was one of the three finalists of a contest put on last fall by the Downtown Austin Alliance. I mentioned the contest back in August but never followed up and saw who won. Well, there you go! Thanks for the heads-up Eileen, and if anyone has any spare gear (or gears), let Ben know.

Pretty badass looking bike rack Ben! If any of you want to see his winning design, check this out.