Frida Kahlo X Cycling
Entrance to the exhibit in Richmonf
I recently visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to experience the Frida Kahlo exhibition. The museum itself is stunning, and the chronological presentation of Frida’s work was brilliant.
I attended a lecture on Frida and Surrealism during the evening, and walked through the exhibit afterwards. The next day, I rode to Williamsburg. The four-ish hour ride provided time to think about Frida and cycling.
I’m no stranger to Frida Kahlo; this is my fifth Frida exhibition. Maybe 6. I’ve seen Frida pop up often in my travels.
I’ll use quotes to distill my thoughts using quotes:
“I never knew I was a Surrealist ’til André Breton came to Mexico and told me I was. I myself still don’t know what I am.”
Frida Kahlo defied trends and carved her own identity. Male artists and critics often defined her work without her involvement. Freedom of expression on the bike, making your own decisions, is paramount. Today’s nine-minute effort allows you to define yourself on the bike. Hint: You’re not a sprinter.
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
The idea that effort ends with a song or chorus is mind-blowingly dumb. It makes for cool choreography, but for many, there’s so much more effort beyond the chorus. Continue to push your limits.
Frida’s notoriety as an artist and feminist figure did not start until the 1980s. Interestingly, other artists, including Picasso and, seemingly here, Salvador Dali took notice during her lifetime. Dali’s 1949 painting has similarities to Kahlo’s 1944 work.
“To wall oneself in suffering is to risk being devoured from within.”
Indoor cyclists, because of the mirrors, tend to externalize their efforts. Emote the vigor, emphasize the grit, ensure everyone knows you went as hard as you could for those thirty seconds. I often say “Find your happy. And pedal away from it.” But it starts with happy. Don’t make it all about the suffering. Especially not the thirty-second suffering.
“They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”
Frida’s The Accident depicts her experience from a crash that impacted her health for the rest of her life.
Who are you on the bike? If you go out on the trail and watch cyclists, you quickly notice they all look different. Different bikes, different pedal strokes, different clothes. Then bring it indoors. Synchronized cycling is fun. Everyone moves the same, almost like being a background dancer. Better is finding out how to dance (err pedal) to your own beat—coming up with your own moves. Our nine-minute efforts will give you plenty of time to experiment.
Want to learn more about Frida? PBS (moment of silence) has a great three-part special (paywall protected) on her life.