Danny Lyon Exhibit at Akron Art Museum

"Memorial Day Run, Milwaukee" My favorite photo in the new exhibit--I like seeing what the1960s biker girls look like!

Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders Exhibit at Akron Art Museum
by Joanna Wilson

There's a new exhibit at the Akron Art Museum that just went up last weekend.  It's a collection of photographs by Danny Lyon from the 1960s documenting the counterculture of bikers.

"Crossing the Ohio, Louisville," (1966) Many of these photos were actually taken by Lyon from the back of his own bike, a 1953 Triumph TR6.

Lyon is considered one of the New Journalists, a group of people that subjectively document subjects--as opposed to traditional journalism and non-fiction writing that attempts to objectively cover subject matters.  Think Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, George Plimpton's Paper Lion, and Tom Wolfe's Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.  Likewise, Danny Lyon immersed himself in the culture of bikers and joined the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club.  He rode with its members, taking photos of the riders and their girlfriends, motorcycle races, club meetings, and even funerals.

"Benny, Grand and Division, Chicago," (1966)

The photos now on exhibit at the Akron Art Museum are just a fraction of the total collection, many of which were first published in the 1968 book The Bikeriders.   To see the museum's entire collection of Danny Lyon's photographs, visit their website at http://AkronArtMuseum/Collections.

You don't want to miss seeing this collection of 1960s photos which document the free-spirited, outsiders in a more authentic way than fictional accounts in B-movies or TV shows.  If you're like me, you'll find yourself scrutinizing each print to examine the details of the bikes, the 1960s fashions and hairstyles--even the tattoos--of these bikers and their girlfriends.  Feel the romance of the open road as depicted in these prints--a rare experience to be had during these cold winter months in Ohio.

The Akron Art Museum is located at One South High, Akron OH 44308
Link for Hours and Admission
Link for info on Danny Lyon Exhibit
the exhibit runs January 26th until June 21st.