A. Clarke Bedford | Les Musee virtual des Faux-Art

ART CARS

I think of my “art cars” as assemblages that live outdoors and which also happen to move down the road. They are, in fact, the only cars I own, and as such have to be considerably more practical than most art cars, especially the archetypal California-style vehicle, with masses of swirling paint, glued on do-dads and chicken wire and paper Mache protrusions. Maryland weather would make short work of such parade float designs; it might become tiresome to have to pull over and collect soggy and broken parts while running errands in the rain. Did I mention I don’t own a garage? Such tolerant neighbors! (Click on the image to see the gallery)

Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Ford Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Mercedez Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Saab Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Volvo
Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Mercedez Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Mercedez Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Mercedez Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Mercedez Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Saab Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Saab Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Saab Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Saab Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Volvo Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Volvo Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Volvo Clarke Bedford's Art Cars: Volvo

The aforementioned considerations have greatly impacted on the construction and aesthetics of the cars. Pretty much everything is metal, cut with a grinder, fitted and bolted on. In order to maintain the essence of the assemblage tradition, there is no welding or any technique which would distort the metal or ruin the original finishes of the found objects. And in another nod to tradition (this is, remember, the tradition-bound East Coast!), many of the elements are old automotive and architectural fragments. I am hugely influenced by earlier styles, especially design from the 1930’s and ‘40’s.

Still, issues of practicality and cost have meant trying to make a lot from a little. The front grill of my van, for instance, incorporates a late 1930’s grill shell (cut down) but the top of the hood is a galvanized steel kids’ sled from the 1940’s. The central chrome is salvaged from a 50’s Pontiac, the side brass pieces are old carpet strips and the grill itself is a part from a refrigerator. The main insignia is a 40’s Pontiac trunk ornament bolted to a Volkswagen bus insignia. And so it goes.

As is the case with any eccentric public display, the real fun is watching people react. It appears that car guys find things to like in my work as do artsy types. It’s nice to know that personal expression and excessive decoration continue to transcend other sorts of self-identification.