Hill Hudson

The Escape Machine

Spring 2013

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Thesis Development/Professional Practices instructor Signature & Date

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Thesis mentor Signature & Date

I suffer from frequent anxiety that triggers vibrations of panic throughout my mind and body. In the state of an anxiety attack, I feel trapped; trapped inside of a delusional process of thinking. The most effective way for me to escape tormented mindsets has always been through creative practices. Having been raised by an established artist, I was schooled in many forms of art; this led to numerous ventures into areas such as glass blowing, Illustrating, metal, wood working and ceramics. I have used all of these mediums not only to escape from anxiety but also as stepping-stones in my pursuit of personal artistic vision. I have found one medium that unites almost all of my creative means of escape, both in the process of making and in the object made: motorcycles.

A motorcycle embodies an extraordinarily dynamic network of artistry. The construction of one involves, drawing, machining, sculpting, sewing and many other creative hands on activities. Not only are motorcycles a rich medium to escape into but they are also famous symbols of freedom, and for good reason. When you feel the wind rushing around your body as you ride off a trail into to woods. When you accelerate with the twist of the wrist and the hum of the air fills your ears: escape becomes exhilaration.

For my thesis, I will be constructing not just a motorcycle, but an Escape Machine. Transforming this bike into an Escape Machine will mean removing its corporate clichés and rebranding it as a one of a kind vehicle. I will start by finding an older vintage motorcycle and stripping it down to the bare frame. I will sketch designs for the bike to build off of as a sort of a blueprint or schematic. This project will be unique, down to the nuts and bolts. Every component will serve a purpose,