Morphing animal and machine into a contemporary sculpture, artwork speaks of 21st-century cushiness and the popularity of private aircraft
Using a decommissioned boneyard chopper, engine-free yet structurally sound, dressed to the hilt inside and out with thousands of colored gemstones; old cowhide chairs; authentic Longhorn Steer skull; iPad with virtual flight simulator; Swarovski crystal chandelier; a built-in high-polished lapped and riveted aluminum bar inspired by a vintage Airstream trailer; hand-war-painted Indian Motorcycle front fender lights; yards of LED lighting strips; and vinyl cowhide wrap exterior.
A well-worn western saddle previously ridden by Maloney’s father. Taken together, Ride-em-Copter is the perfect chariot for its well-endowed mannequin pilot, “Shivers,” whose persona bounded into the artist’s imagination and now sits surrounded by luxurious textiles including burgundy crocodile pattern mohair door panels, gold lizard skin trim, and green ever-so-shag carpet.
From Maloney’s imagination to its ground-level mount, Ride-em-Copter speaks of the possibilities of 21st-century cushiness and the enduring popularity of private aircraft. The gleaming eggbeater is set to show – and stun.
Maloney’s motivation for Ride-em-Copter was “to take viewers to the dazzling edge of my world of fun and excitement.” He recalls the horseback scene in Midnight Cowboy “with everything lit up similar to Glen Campbell’s lyrical illusion of a star-studded rodeo,” and imagines his ersatz pilot, Shivers, “opening her custom private luggage compartment, changing into dainty evening wear and jewelry, mixing herself a Pisco Sour without spilling a drop, and waiting for her Cowboy du jour to appear.”
Fly-em…Stride-em…Ride-em-Copter – Ya-hooo!