Motocykliści homoseksualiści - BSP
EN_01208670_0043
Exclusive photo feature: Photos Capture Gay Motorcycle Club in the 1960's Words: By Nicola Donovan What's the first thing you imagine when you picture a stereotypical biker? Perhaps you think of a bulky, leather-clad, tough-guy with a fondness for bar fights. The last thing would probably be a gay community - especially in the 1960s, when homosexuals weren't welcomed openly. In 1967, photographer Sylvan Rand decided to join a group of gay bikers as they set off on their motorcycles to a farmhouse in the countryside for the weekend. Already aware of the gay motorcycle subculture, when invited to ride along on the bike of his friends' bike, Sylvan jumped at the chance. Running their own motorcycle club, the men enjoyed nothing more than the open road and each other's company. Passing the hours with food, drink, horseplay and above all camaraderie, the men welcomed Sylvan to join the festivities of an unofficial motorcycle run. In return, he captured a portfolio of stunning, raw images that now make up the series 'Motorcycle Run'. Despite some of the men living a straight life style in every day life, as it was expected back then, the gatherings gave them the chance to be completely open. All secretiveness was left behind and a sense of freedom ensued. Depicting a freedom that had not yet reached reality, the photographs capture a sense of rebellion against society, by going against the certain restrictions that came with being a gay in the 1950s and 1960s. Rather than focusing on the riding events and races like he had expected to see, Sylvan instead chose to capture the mingling and intimacy between the riders. After almost 50 years, Sylvan only recently digitized the negatives and has this to say about them: 'I feel fortunate to have been accepted by these bikers and to have been able to photograph them. I hope that my pictures express the empathy I felt.'
2016-04-11
White Label/Sylvan Rand/East News
White Label
IMP_GayMotorClubEXCL5155
1,4MB
25cm x 17cm by 300dpi
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