In one word: biker. But I if you want a few more....
I love to do unusual and unique things, and I've been interested in Antony Gormley's work since Dave the Disorganiser sent me to Another Place to photograph the iron men. On the day ballot opened I sent in my name and I'm thrilled to be chosen - even more so to have been chosen so close to the wire!
For me, this project is about celebration - 2,400 people using their hour to showcase a cause dear to their hearts, to entertain with a skill or talent, or just to stand and be. I want to celebrate what it means to be part of the wonderful, diverse, and ever so slightly bonkers motorcycle community, But there's the rub - I'm a writer, and this is a visual project. So I'm brooding on a few ideas about how to turn a community into words, and how to make those words meaningful at 5am on a cold October morning.
UPDATE, Tuesday 6th October:
Well – with just over 24 hours to go, I’ve ruled out standing in a pair of wings with a pint of Boddingtons and a whippet and claiming to be the Angel of the North on tour; I’ve refused the offer of an inflatable donkey on the grounds that I’m making a big enough ass of myself without any additional help; and have settled on something simple (in theory) which of course is going to be a bit complex to achieve.
Many people wonder what the point of their existence is. The One and Other Project has helpfully resolved this for me – I now know that I have 100 points to my existence and they are available to any participant in the Round Britain Rally (http://www.roundbritainrally.co.uk) with the strength of will to get up at Silly O’Clock and take a photo of me on the Plinth – usual rally rules apply. As an extra temptation I’ll be making a donation to the Air Ambulance proportionate to the number of photos taken (yes, I’m being a bit cagey about this because there’s a potential pool of over 200 participants and it could get quite expensive.)
I did say that I wanted to highlight the fabulous motorcycle community – and the fact that at least a dozen RBR-ers have pledged to ride into London in the small hours with only the consolation of an Ace Caff breakfast should demonstrate in spades what an amazing bunch of people you find on two wheels.
As Thursday is National Poetry Day I’m also highlighting the wonderful Thom Gunn poem, “On the Move” –
“On motorcycles, up the road, they come:
Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boy,
Until the distance throws them forth, their hum
Bulges to thunder held by calf and thigh.
In goggles, donned impersonality,
In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,
They strap in doubt--by hiding it, robust--
And almost hear a meaning in their noise.”
- but don’t worry, I’m not reading it out, I’m just flying it on a flag.
Also, as the thought of me standing there waiting to be photographed was getting just a little bit too reminiscent of the final minutes of Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore, I will be passing the time by playing some blues harp. Wish me luck, or bring your earplugs….
