FEDERICO QUINTANA
// Federico was born in Italy, but has lived in a number of countries and is a widely travelled documentary photographer. When he is not out photographing, Federico also enjoys riding his Harley. This inspired the idea of a feature of “bike art”, as Federico visited the Daytona Beach bike week, an event that not only showcases artfully painted motorbikes, but also concerts and daring bike performances.
Having studied photojournalism at Arizona State University, Federico spends his professional life documenting the world, with a special interest in nature and human interest documentary. Photography for him is freezing the memory of the human encounter in an image, thus leaving a mark. No matter the remoteness of the surroundings, for Federico humanity´s similarities are what matter.
“Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Pablo Picasso
What draws you to the arts?
“As a photographer every form of art that I see stimulates my own creativity and helps in finding the courage to explore deeper in my creative soul.”
What impressed you most about the Daytona bike week?
“The art form is really in the motorcycles, they can reach levels of creativity beyond rational thinking and take incredible investments of time and expense to create. Often famous artists in paint and sculpture are involved in the customising process of the bikes. Also the riders, which are often very original and extravagant”
It is not as much of a stretch as some readers may think, to include motorbikes in a magazine about the arts. Quite apart from the fact that some of these bikes may be considered as beautiful to some beholder´s eye as the most famous sculptures by Michelangelo, they are also often painted with fantastically colourful designs. A web search on “how to paint a motorcycle” will yield some articles that show the fine art involved in this process.
The images Federico shared are from the Daytona Beach Bike Week in Florida, USA, an event that started as the Daytona 200 race on January 24, 1937. Today, apart from the actual races, there are many side events. Most famous is Main Street with its various saloons, including the particularly legendary Boot Hill Saloon. But events also take place far outside of Daytona.
Ride free, Federico, and keep regaling us with your beautiful photos!
Click on the photos to see the full images.
ALL PHOTOS © FEDERICO QUINTANA
Visit Federico´s website and his Instagram gallery for more amazing photos. To learn more about Federico´s very interesting journalistic life, you can also read an interesting interview in the Pictorial Magazine.
SPECTACULUM MAGAZINE 