Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

ROUNDUP

UP: To the Simon Gaflery in Morristown, New Jersey, for presenting the

digital renderings of Ilene Steglitz. The featured work in the exhibit, "ldentita Ducati," was made

up of 100 individual laser prints that formed a single work measuring 8 x 10 feet, under which was parked a red 916. Yours for $7500. The art, that is, not the bike.

UP: To Michelle Duff, for having the balls, so to speak, to attend this year’s Centennial TT at Assen, Holland. Known as Mike Duff prior to her 1987 sex-change operation, Canada’s most successful Grand Prix roadracer received a warm reception as she rode a Yamaha RD56 in the star-studded vintage races. “Walking to the start line behind two Yamaha works mechanics and a $250,000 motorcycle was reliving a dream," Duff told British magazine Classic Bike.

“But to be there as Michelle, and to be accepted, was the answer to a prayer. The most fun was trying to recognize everyone,” she added. “Of course, most people didn’t recognize me!”

DOWN: To certain members of the art community, for being closedminded prigs in response to recordsetting crowds attending the Guggenheim Museum’s “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit. “The Guggenheim might bring in more people if they offered rides from Coney Island,” ranted the furuncular Stephen Mazoh, an art dealer of minor note, in a New York Times article. “Motorcycles belong in a design museum or a museum for automobiles, but not at the Guggenheim. They may think they’re getting a new audience, but none of these people will come back.” Hey, Steve, speaking for “these people,” go fauve yourself.