Strolling through Nerdcore a while back, I came across a great photo set by Niall O’Brien. This photographer (and indeed I had never heard of him) has been able to capture punks in a great set of pictures it seems. An ongoing project he finds himself in as you will read further on.

Right now some are even featurd in an exhibition entitled ‘GOOD RATS’, which opened on February 1st 2010 (at ART WORK SPACE – a new independent gallery, recently launched in The Hempel Hotel, London). This marks the first substantial exposition of work from the ‘Superheroes’ series – an ongoing project that has seen O’Brien living alongside, and observing the lives of, a group of young punks from South-West London over the last three years.

During this time, the artist has seen the group begin to grow from adolescents to young men, following them on their adventures from Brighton to Berlin and documenting their exploits. O’Brien has created a series of photographs so strikingly beautiful that, at first glance, they might belie their raw, uninhibited and primal content. Gradually earning the trust of the group, who to others may seem entirely impenetrable, has enabled him to gain access to some particularly personal and poignant moments in the lives of his subjects.

I could not have said it any better So, if you find yourself in London I guess you should have a look. Out.

(pictures through CreativeReview)

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Os Gêmeos in Berlin

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To get back on track (get it, little wordplay goin’ on over here ), I read today that the European Cycle Messenger Chamionships started over in Berlin. This is like the freakin’ olympics for fixed gearheads as they’ve got different disciplines going on next to a main race. They’ll be holding team, sprint, uphill,…  races but also host a specific fixed gear track with a best trick, a skid battle (I read helmets are mandatory for this one ) and a bike polo competition next to many others.

The first ever championship was held in Berlin back in 1993. At that point it still consisted of a small community but throughout the years it emerged as a real hardcore sport it seems and this years edition will once again bring hundreds of professional bike messengers, with their unique profession and lifestyle, from across the globe together for three days of races and crazy battles. The organisers state that: “Non-messengers are as always tolerated at this event, although leave the excessive posing to the professionals, thanks.“.

If you’re interested in more info check out the events website and pay some special attention to their “German for Beginners” section  where you can find classic expressions such as “Ich bin in der mood für love” which they state “might just get you laid“.

If you’ve got some time and digg good docu’s check the clips I added. The first one is the documentary On-Point featured. This is a must see, as the bicycle messenger’s life has been captured in a wonderful way. The second clip is the trailer for what seems to be a full length documentary called ‘Murder of Couriers’. I stumbled upon this trailer couple of weeks ago and taught the time was right to share it with you all.

Messenger from Kalim Armstrong on Vimeo.

All I can say is that its great to see how the whole culture is spreading throughout Europe and with the popularity of fixed gear bikes being on the rise I’m curious to see if it will get picked up in BE and turn into its own scene.

Let us know what your thoughts are on fixed gear bikes, the vids and our blog in general. Out.

(post inspired through bigup.)

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