Feast your eyes on this! It’s a customized lowrider bicycle (with three wheels) by Carlos Rolon, also known as Dzine.
Dzine is an artist from Chicago that works with a variety of materials to create these beautiful machines for exhibitions in galleries. His work with lowriders like this are made to explore the expressive nature found in Chicano lowrider culture. His sculptures incorporate 24kt gold plating, his signature crystals, and detailed painting and engraving. The result is a bike like no other (no word on whether or not they actually run and work).
Man, these are absolutely gorgeous!
More photos at SuperTouch.
Firme Custom Paint Job
Most of the “audio/visual” art that this artist claims are his creations are actually designed and fabricated by others. Carlos then applies a few finishing touches and claims it as his own creation. The most recognizable one would have to be the Deitch Studios Cadillac Fleetwood. This car was built and designed years earlier and even appeared in LowRider magazine in 2004/2005.
Truth Seeker:
The car he appropriated was actually changed.
If you know about this particular car or anything about lowrider culture for that matter, you will then know that people within the industry always buy existing cars and bikes to enhance or add more parts – this happens all the time. Get the whole truth out.
Attention Truth seeker:
I agree with the statement from Squash. If he changes the pieces, why does it matter? It becomes alive again and original, especially surrounded by his paintings and installations. I think they are interesting and beautiful. I do not find anything wrong that he may be re-appropriating certain objects.
Also, to be fair, I know nothing about Lowrider culture. But you have only pointed out one piece that he may have changed.
I just went to his website, and for the most part, all the other custom artworks I viewed are original. Overall, Im just glad he is able to have these works preserved in museums all over the world instead of sitting in a garage collecting dust.
Look at artists like Richard Prince, Jeff Koons and other contemporary artists (How about Damien Hirst and his skull – He applied diamonds to a found or purchased skull). Artists do this all the time. Why are you not pointing this out? Dzine (Carlos Rolon) is bringing these objects (pre-fab or original) to life for the public and art-world to see and appreciate.
most of the bikes (and his custom boat sculpture) are original and designed by the artist. he works with fabricators in miami, ny and los angeles. all of the parts are then painted, pin-striped, assembled and finished in chicago.