Motor Cycle Race 1979

Curator: What we have before us is Gebre Kristos Desta's 1979 painting, "Motor Cycle Race." There’s a fascinating blend of abstraction and figuration at play. Editor: My immediate reaction is a rush of adrenaline. It’s dark, moody. The colours are so cool but there is also a sense of urgency and dynamic energy. The bikes look as if they are really whizzing past. Curator: The painting embraces an expressionistic style that taps into the essence of motion, don't you think? Even the cityscape in the background appears dreamlike. The helmets feel almost anonymous, pointing to a broader statement about identity and technology. Editor: I see that. These racing figures become less about the individual and more about the collective culture of speed and spectacle, an interesting way to talk about the political drive towards hyper-modernity, wouldn’t you agree? Also, given the period and his Ethiopian background, could it also hint at cultural anxieties around industrial advancement? Curator: That's insightful. Notice, also, how Desta's geometric and semi-abstracted shapes create the feeling of speed while almost dissolving into the urban backdrop, like a modern mythical landscape. It has the rhythm and cadence that recall Vorticism and Futurism while suggesting something new. Editor: The colour scheme heightens that sense of unease too. All the shades of blues and the few dashes of crimson on the red motorcyclist contribute to a rather dark but compelling statement on the nature of progress, almost dystopian. I like the overall mood because it suggests both, hope and skepticism. Curator: Indeed. "Motor Cycle Race" transcends a mere depiction of a sporting event. The painting encourages us to think about humanity, the evolution of our cultures, and how we process change. Editor: Yes, it goes beyond simple observation, triggering emotional connections by tapping into shared human experiences and anxieties of what modernity means for the fate of our societies. It asks, who are we in the age of speed and technology?