14 Mar 2008

Mar 20 Liz Cohen presents "Radical Mod," an evening of lowrider cars, bikes & bikinis

REV YOUR ENGINES: SCOTTSDALE PUBLIC ART AND SMoCA PRESENT

RADICAL MOD AND SMoCA NIGHTS

Car-inspired event includes customized low-rider cars and bikes, artist booths, car-culture bikini fashions, music and live entertainment

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art gear up for a night of art, music and fashion. Artist Liz Cohen has organized this public showcase of elaborate vehicles as an extension of her Car Culture exhibition project. Cohen learned the fine art of car customization by creating the Trabantimino, currently on display in SMoCA as part of the Museum’s Car Culture exhibition. The Trabantimino is an East German Trabant 601 deluxe that transforms into a Chevy El Camino in less than 15 seconds.

The evening begins with the Radical Mod car show, featuring low-rider cars and bicycles elaborately engineered and adorned by local artisans. With flashy colors and creative customizations including spinning truck beds, pop-up hoods, suicide doors and hydraulics, these vehicles are truly works of art. Radical Mod showcases over a dozen outrageously customized cars and bicycles, including Gene Bare’s “Inferno,” a customized 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe named Lowrider Magazine's Classic of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Music and art vendors will also be featured at the free event, which will lead into the Museum’s after-hours extravaganza, SMoCA Nights.

The headlining band at Radical Mod features L.A. punk-mariachi-hip-pop art darlings Los Super Elegantes. Additional entertainment includes DJs Chilakn & and an Old Skool set by DJ Jas, a bikini fashion show highlighting six local Arizona designers, hyper hydraulics from the low-rider crew, break dancing from the Outsiderz Crew and various related performances. SMoCA Nights is the Museum’s premier after-hours event. Bringing together the best designers, musicians and dancers throughout the Valley, the evening also includes free hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and door prizes.

Radical Mod is a free event, but admission is required for SMoCA Nights. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly suggested as the event typically sells out. General admission tickets are $15 for nonmembers and $10 members. Reserved fashion runway seating is $45. For more information or to purchase tickets for SMoCA Nights, please call 480.994.ARTS.