NO BICYCLE PARKING

300,000 Bicycles are stolen each year. Does that grind your gears?  Introducing: "No Bicycle Parking" Twelve years and over 400 photographs of abandoned and stripped bicycles have culminated into a thought-provoking book by Raphael Xavier that will premiere at The Painted Bride Art Center this March. "This is a project that's been a long ride coming",? says Xavier, "The focus of the showing is to gather stories from the owners of the stripped chrome horses who thought they would never see their bikes again. It's sort of a viewing/mourning/celebration/service to put the thoughts to sleep, and know that the remains are beautifully captured just as if you first laid eyes on them in the store window." ?The artist feels "The importance of the bicycle should not be ignored," which is why he invites all bike enthusiasts to his first showing to get their thoughts while they view his images. "There is a lack of respect for the bike, the owner, and the character of the bike itself. ?This is the first of a two-part project. 1st will be the gathering of Philadelphia stories and the second will be the book release and print display. The Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA March 21st and 22nd 230 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19106(215) 925-991412pm-8pm both days with an opening/meet and greet Thursday the 21st at 5pm. Admission is FREE. Raphael Xavier Started photography in 1987 and then became a professional freelance hip-hop magazine and culture photographer in 1997. The project began shooting in 2000. For more information about No Bicycle Parking, please contact Dana Michael at [email protected]

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