Yep, that’s Brooklyn: Emerging artists, rockers converge at Park Slope motorcycle shop (photos)

Want to chat with an up-and-coming artist while sipping German beer and breathing in the sweet smells of leather and 94-octane fuel? Head to Brooklyn for an emerging art show!

I spent Thursday night in Park Slope at the latest G Train Salon exhibit, held at the Vax Moto motorcycle garage. This showcase for local artists– hailing mainly from Bushwick– featured a live band and the requisite freebies (hors d’oeuvres and alcohol). The highlight, however, was the opportunity to speak with young artists about their work.

Scroll down for photos of this unique art show. Thursday was the closing night, but make sure to visit the G Train Salon website for upcoming events.

I caught up with Brooklyn-based G Train Salon curator Krista Saunders (right) at the Vax Moto show.

MoMA meets Sturgis

I felt über-trendy as I entered the motorcycle garage, located in an unmarked, industrial building on 3rd Avenue in Park Slope. I wasn’t sure I was in the right spot, since the rows of vintage motorcycles and the deer head hanging from a wall didn’t exactly scream “art show.” When I spotted artwork by Barry Shepherd hanging in the hallway of the garage, I knew I was at the correct address. I resisted the urge to jump on a Ducati and made my way to the main exhibition space, which was in a room the size of two tennis courts. Clearly, I was not in Manhattan anymore!

I was greeted at the entrance of the Vax Moto garage by this docile deer.

The space was massive-- a sharp contrast to the tightly-packed art galleries in Manhattan.

Work by artist Barry Shepherd.

The G Train exhibit was housed in a homey section of this cavernous room, which is rented out by a local wall-paper design company.

Showcase for emerging artists

As part of the closing night festivities, artists Fabian Tabibian and Rachel LaBine spoke about their work. The event had the feel of an art school critique, with audience members referencing obscure artists and asking detailed questions about composition.

I enjoyed speaking one-on-one with Fabian Tabibian, whose work examines the impact of the Information Age on the individual and society. For the work featured in this exhibit, Fabian recorded every image he saw online for one week and created a data set; he then sorted the images by file name, resulting in an abstract but intriguing print. As a trained market researcher, I could relate to his passion for data. (For more information on Fabian, visit www.tabibian.org).

Audience members listened intently as artist Rachel LaBine described her work.

Bushwick-based artist Rachel LaBine.

A series of intriguing illustrations and paintings by Justin Steimer.

Artist Fabian Tabibian explores the impact of the Information Age on everyday life.

Work by Rahul Alexander, who was present at the closing night.

Cheese, beer and rock ‘n roll

No art closing (or opening) is complete without tasty hors d’oeuvres and drinks. As is common at Brooklyn exhibits, the standard Chardonnay was replaced with beer. A representative from neighborhood bar Draft Barn served imported German ale as he described the locale’s Hungarian fare– adding an international flair to the event. Draft Barn was the site of an official after-party, but after two cups of Tucher beer, I was done for the evening!

A friendly barkeep from Draft Barn refreshes a cup of Tucher beer.

Brooklyn band Wild Deer performed several songs, admirably blending a mix of musical styles. I detected nodes of southern rock (and a dash of hipster) in their jams.

While I resisted the urge to jump on a bike, I insisted on stopping for a photo op.

What’s the funkiest art venue you’ve visited?

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