Lotus Festival bike exhibit warms City Hall

Despite the gloom of gray winter skies, city of Bloomington Director for the Arts Miah Michaelsen said the new addition to the City Hall Atrium brightens her day. \nTen lively, refurbished bicycles and helmets from the Lotus Rides Again! exhibit fill the space with unique art that represents businesses in downtown Bloomington. \nThe bikes were assembled by local civic organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County and Big Brothers Big Sisters for the Lotus Festival last fall. The Lotus visual arts committee created the project to get local businesses and civic organizations involved in the festival, said local artist Joe LaMantia.\nThe bikes and helmets will remain on display until Jan. 31.\nThe bikes have been decorated using various colors and designs. A smaller child’s bike is painted red with white strands of noodles. The bike is complete with meat balls – made from golf balls – on the spokes. Another bike titled “Get the Art Out” had a painter’s palette beneath a red fuzzy seat and a basket overflowing with paint in front of the handlebars. A favorite among city employees was a game-themed bike with everything from Sorry to checkers. \n“I think they are very unique and very creative thinking went into creating these bikes,” said Parking Enforcement Manager Raye Ann Cox.\nLaMantia helped the artists by finding supplies and developing the themes for each bike. \nHe said the Lotus Festival is trying to expand to become a more encompassing community event. He referenced the Palio di Siena in Italy where neighborhoods sponsor a horse and rider in a large horse race. The event includes not only the actual race but a parade and a huge feast as well. \n“We really want to make this a real celebration of community and neighborhoods,” LaMantia said. \nIn Bloomington, “we don’t have horses, we have bikes,” he said. \nMichaelsen agreed that the exhibit’s bike theme was a direct result of Bloomington’s bicycle culture and the city’s emphasis on sustainability. \nAll of the bikes on display were donated, and the bike helmets were donated by Bloomington Hospital. LaMantia said he made many trips to the recycle center for additional supplies. \n“They took bikes that were destined for the junk yard,” said Michael Falls, IU junior and city government intern. Now, the bikes are “really colorful and innovative,” Falls said. \nBoth Cox and Falls agree the art definitely draws attention. Falls said he’s had people come into the office and ask about the bikes. One man even wanted to buy one. After Jan. 31, however, the bike exhibit will be replaced by African American quilts. \n“It’s really nice to see people come into City Hall and there’s art,” Falls said.